[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 176 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 176

 Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 7, 2017

  Ms. Lee (for herself, Mr. Price of North Carolina, and Mr. Chabot) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact people of all ages, races, and 
        ethnicities, but is more common (at least 2-3 times) in women than men;
Whereas over 2,000,000 individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with multiple 
        sclerosis;
Whereas multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed in individuals between the 
        ages of 20 and 50, but it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 
        children and adolescents are living with multiple sclerosis in the 
        United States;
Whereas multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the 
        central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the 
        brain, and between the brain and body;
Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis range from numbness and tingling, to 
        vision problems and paralysis, and the progress, severity, and specific 
        symptoms of multiple sclerosis in any one person cannot yet be 
        predicted;
Whereas while there is no evidence that multiple sclerosis is directly 
        inherited, studies show that there are genetic and environmental factors 
        that give certain individuals a higher risk of developing multiple 
        sclerosis;
Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown and there is no 
        cure;
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national network of independent 
        multiple sclerosis organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the 
        quality of life for all those affected by multiple sclerosis, recognizes 
        and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
Whereas the mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is to increase 
        opportunities for cooperation and provide greater opportunity to 
        leverage the effective use of resources for the benefit of the multiple 
        sclerosis community;
Whereas the United States plays a critical role in coordinating multiple 
        sclerosis research globally and amplifies the impact of research in the 
        United States through which results are delivered to multiple sclerosis 
        patients;
Whereas, in 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was a founding member 
        of the International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance, which 
        coordinates research to accelerate the development of treatments for 
        progressive multiple sclerosis by removing international scientific and 
        technological barriers and which now includes 16 multiple sclerosis 
        organizations from 15 countries, 8 foundation and trust members and 5 
        pharmaceutical partners;
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and supports Multiple 
        Sclerosis Awareness Week during March of every calendar year;
Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are to invite people to 
        join the movement to end multiple sclerosis, encourage everyone to do 
        something to demonstrate a commitment to moving toward a world free of 
        multiple sclerosis, and acknowledge those who have dedicated time and 
        talent to help promote multiple sclerosis research and programs; and
Whereas, in 2017, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the 
        week of March 5 through March 11: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
        Awareness Week;
            (2) encourages States, territories, possessions of the 
        United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals 
        of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing proclamations 
        designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
            (3) encourages media organizations to--
                    (A) participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness 
                Week; and
                    (B) help provide education to the public about 
                multiple sclerosis;
            (4) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States to support the goals and 
        ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
            (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
        States to ending multiple sclerosis by--
                    (A) promoting awareness about individuals that are 
                affected by multiple sclerosis; and
                    (B) supporting multiple sclerosis research and 
                education programs;
            (6) recognizes all individuals in the United States living 
        with multiple sclerosis;
            (7) expresses gratitude to the family members and friends 
        of individuals living with multiple sclerosis, who are a source 
        of love and encouragement to those individuals; and
            (8) salutes the health care professionals and medical 
        researchers who--
                    (A) provide assistance to those individuals 
                affected by multiple sclerosis; and
                    (B) continue to work to find ways to stop multiple 
                sclerosis in its tracks, restore what has been lost, 
                and end multiple sclerosis forever.
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