[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5183-S5184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF CFIDS AWARENESS DAY

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
efforts of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association of Lehigh Valley in 
fighting Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), or 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
  Through a tireless effort, the CFS Association of Lehigh Valley is 
committed to finding a cure for CFIDS, increasing public awareness and 
providing support for victims of this disease. Public education is an 
integral part of the association's mission, and the Lehigh Valley 
organization works to raise awareness through the International CFIDS 
Awareness Day, which

[[Page S5184]]

is held on May 12 each year. In addition, the Lehigh Valley 
organization is actively involved in CFS-related research and regularly 
participates in seminars to train health care professionals. It is also 
important to note that the CFS Association of Lehigh Valley received 
the CFIDS Support Network Action Award in 1995 and 1996 for their 
public advocacy initiatives.
  Although some progress has been made in the study of CFIDS, this 
condition is largely still a mystery. With no known cause or cure for 
the disease, victims experience a variety of symptoms including extreme 
fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pain, cognitive and neurological 
problems, tender lymph nodes, nausea and vertigo. The Centers for 
Disease Control has given CFIDS ``Priority 1'' status in the new 
infectious disease category which also includes cholera, malaria, 
hepatitis C and tuberculosis. The Lehigh Valley organization will 
persistently continue its research and education campaigns until this 
disease is obliterated.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending the 
Lehigh Valley organization and in supporting the following 
proclamation:

                              Proclamation

       Whereas, on May 12, 1999 the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) 
     Association of Lehigh Valley joined the Chronic Fatigue and 
     Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America, 
     the largest organization dedicated to conquering CFIDS, in 
     observing International Chronic Fatigue and Immune 
     Dysfunction Syndrome Awareness Day; and
       Whereas, CFIDS is a complicated disease which is 
     characterized by neurological, rheumatological and 
     immunological problems, incapacitating fatigue, as well as a 
     number of other symptoms that can persist for months or years 
     and can be severely debilitating; and
       Whereas, estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of 
     American adults already have CFIDS; and
       Whereas, the medical community, as well as the public 
     should receive more information and develop a greater 
     awareness of the effects of CFIDS. While much has been done 
     at the national, state and local level, more must be done to 
     support patients and their families; and
       Whereas, research has been enhanced by the efforts of the 
     Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of 
     Health and other private institutions, the CFS Association of 
     Lehigh Valley recognizes that there is still much more to be 
     done to encourage further research so that the mission of 
     conquering CFIDS and related disorders can be achieved;
       Therefore, the United States Senate commends the efforts of 
     the CFS Association of Lehigh Valley, as well as those 
     battling the disease and applauds the designation of May 12, 
     1999 as CFIDS Awareness Day.

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