[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 374 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 374

          Supports the designation of ``ALS Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 9, 2023

 Mr. Crow (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Calvert, Mrs. 
  Lee of Nevada, Mr. Quigley, and Mr. Bacon) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
          Supports the designation of ``ALS Awareness Month''.

Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (referred to in this preamble as ``ALS'') 
        is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in 
        the brain and the spinal cord;
Whereas the life expectancy for an individual with ALS is between 2 and 5 years 
        after the date on which the individual receives an ALS diagnosis;
Whereas ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, gender, or 
        socioeconomic boundaries;
Whereas ALS may affect any individual in any location;
Whereas the cause of ALS is unknown in up to 90 percent of cases;
Whereas approximately 10 percent of cases have a strong known genetic driver;
Whereas, on average, the period between the date on which an individual first 
        experiences symptoms of ALS and the date on which the individual is 
        diagnosed with ALS is more than 1 year;
Whereas the onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or stiffness, and the 
        progression of ALS results in the further weakening, wasting, and 
        paralysis of--

    (1) the muscles of the limbs and trunk; and

    (2) the muscles that control vital functions, such as speech, 
swallowing, and breathing;

Whereas ALS can strike individuals of any age but predominantly strikes adults;
Whereas it is estimated that tens of thousands of individuals in the United 
        States have ALS at any given time;
Whereas, based on studies of the population of the United States, more than 
        5,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, 
        and 15 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each day;
Whereas every 90 minutes an individual dies from ALS;
Whereas the majority of individuals with ALS die of respiratory failure;
Whereas military veterans are more likely to be diagnosed with ALS than those 
        with no history of military service;
Whereas as of the date of introduction of this resolution, there is no cure for 
        ALS;
Whereas the spouses, children, and family members of individuals living with ALS 
        provide support to those individuals with love, day-to-day care, and 
        more; and
Whereas an individual with ALS, and the caregivers of such an individual, can be 
        required to bear significant costs for medical care, equipment, and home 
        care services for the individual as the disease progresses: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``ALS Awareness Month'';
            (2) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
        to ensuring people with ALS have access to effective treatments 
        as soon as possible and identifying risk factors and causes of 
        ALS to prevent new cases;
            (3) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
        to empowering people with ALS to engage with the world in the 
        way they want;
            (4) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
        to reducing physical, emotional, and financial burdens of 
        living with ALS;
            (5) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
        to ensuring all people with ALS and their caregivers receive 
        high-quality services and supports that benefit them; and
            (6) commends the dedication of the family members, friends, 
        organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across 
        the United States that are working to improve the quality and 
        length of life of ALS patients and the development of 
        treatments and cures that reach patients as soon as possible.
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