[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 143 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    NATIONAL DYSTONIA AWARENESS WEEK

  (Mrs. MORELLA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues National Dystonia Awareness Week, which will be commemorated 
nationwide September 16-23.
  Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that can take many 
forms--all of which are frequently misdiagnosed or even undiagnosed. It 
is characterized by involuntary muscular contractions which force 
certain parts of the body into abnormal, often painful movements or 
positions. Approximately 200,000 Americans suffer from dystonia, yet 
only about 5 percent of these individuals have obtained accurate 
diagnoses and proper treatment. Dystonia is a condition that 
fundamentally impacts the lives of nearly a quarter of a million 
Americans and their families, yet we have very little understanding of 
the condition, or of how we can ameliorate it.
  The National Institutes of Health, through its researchers at NINDS, 
has increasingly recognized the importance of dystonia research, and I 
am pleased that the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS has 
continued to urge continued NIH action in this area. It is my hope 
that, together with scientists and doctors across the Nation, our 
experts at NIH will be able to shed considerable insight into the 
mystery of dystonia.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the diligent efforts of 
one of my constituents, Ms. Nancy Aldrich, who has worked tirelessly to 
bring the issue of dystonia to the Congress' attention. With the 
efforts of Ms. Aldrich and many individuals like her, we will one day 
put dystonia behind us.

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