[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 557 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 557

  Expressing support for designation of September 2019, as ``National 
 Dystonia Awareness Month'' and raising awareness and understanding of 
                       the disorder of dystonia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 13, 2019

   Mr. Levin of Michigan (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Ms. 
 Schakowsky, and Mr. Fitzpatrick) submitted the following resolution; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for designation of September 2019, as ``National 
 Dystonia Awareness Month'' and raising awareness and understanding of 
                       the disorder of dystonia.

Whereas dystonia is the third most common movement disorder, affecting no fewer 
        than 250,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide;
Whereas dystonia is a neurological disorder presenting in various forms, 
        characterized by involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal, often 
        repetitive movements and postures;
Whereas symptoms of dystonia may impede the ability to--

    (1) walk (as in generalized dystonia or limb dystonia);

    (2) control the posture of the head (as in cervical dystonia);

    (3) speak (as in spasmodic dysphonia or oromandibular dystonia);

    (4) see (as in blepharospasm); and

    (5) write (as in hand dystonia);

Whereas there are limited treatments for dystonia, and there is currently no 
        cure;
Whereas dystonia is commonly misdiagnosed, delaying access to appropriate 
        medical care for those affected;
Whereas trauma like that experienced by military servicemembers can lead to the 
        onset of dystonia;
Whereas countless friends, loved ones, spouses, and caregivers must shoulder the 
        physical, emotional, and financial burdens that dystonia causes;
Whereas the severity of the symptoms of dystonia and the limited public 
        awareness of the disease cause many patients to be isolated;
Whereas National Dystonia Awareness Month will raise public awareness and 
        understanding of the disorder of dystonia, a disorder affecting people 
        of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds;
Whereas National Dystonia Awareness Month will also foster understanding of the 
        impact the various forms of dystonia have on those affected and their 
        families;
Whereas the dystonia community is uniting to cooperate on awareness efforts 
        throughout September; and
Whereas the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, the Dystonia 
        Medical Research Foundation, the National Spasmodic Dysphonia 
        Association, and the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association are 
        dedicated to--

    (1) conducting research to find treatments and a cure for dystonia;

    (2) fostering public awareness and understanding of the disorder;

    (3) educating patients and their families about dystonia to improve 
their treatment and care; and

    (4) providing support and encouraging people to become advocates, 
including by sponsoring annual patient education conferences, school-based 
educational programs, and local events to raise funds for dystonia 
research, education, advocacy, and awareness: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Dystonia 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Dystonia 
        Awareness Month to raise public awareness and understanding of 
        dystonia;
            (3) recognizes the need for additional research to find a 
        cure for all forms of dystonia; and
            (4) encourages all people in the United States and 
        interested groups to support National Dystonia Awareness Month 
        through activities to promote public awareness of dystonia and 
        foster the understanding of the impact of dystonia on patients 
        and their families.
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