[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1422-S1423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 93--EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF CONGRESS FOR 
     ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

  Mr. REED submitted the following resolution, which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                            S. Con. Res. 93

       Whereas multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling 
     disease of the central nervous system which often first 
     appears in people between the ages of 20 and 40, with 
     lifelong physical and emotional effects;
       Whereas multiple sclerosis is twice as common in women as 
     in men;
       Whereas an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 individuals suffer 
     from multiple sclerosis nationally;
       Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be mild, such as 
     numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss 
     of vision;
       Whereas the progress, severity, and specific symptoms of 
     multiple sclerosis in any one person cannot yet be predicted;
       Whereas the annual cost to each affected individual 
     averages $34,000, and the total cost can exceed $2,000,000 
     over an individual's lifetime;
       Whereas the annual cost of treating all people who suffer 
     from multiple sclerosis in the United States is nearly 
     $9,000,000,000;
       Whereas the cause of multiple sclerosis remains unknown, 
     but genetic factors are believed to play a role in 
     determining a person's risk for developing multiple 
     sclerosis;
       Whereas many of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be 
     treated with medications and rehabilitative therapy;
       Whereas new treatments exist that can slow the course of 
     the disease, and reduce its severity;
       Whereas medical experts recommend that all people newly 
     diagnosed with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis begin 
     disease-modifying therapy;
       Whereas finding the genes responsible for susceptibility to 
     multiple sclerosis may lead to the development of new and 
     more effective ways to treat the disease;
       Whereas increased funding for the National Institutes of 
     Health would provide the opportunity for research and the 
     creation of programs to increase awareness, prevention, and 
     education; and
       Whereas Congress as an institution, and Members of Congress 
     as individuals, are in unique positions to help raise public 
     awareness about the detection and treatment of multiple 
     sclerosis and to support the fight against multiple 
     sclerosis: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) all Americans should take an active role in the fight 
     to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis on 
     individuals, their families, and the economy;
       (2) the role played by national and community organizations 
     and health care professionals in promoting the importance of 
     continued funding for research, and in providing information 
     about and access to the best medical treatment and support 
     services for people with multiple sclerosis should be 
     recognized and applauded; and
       (3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
       (A) continue to fund research so that the causes of, and 
     improved treatment for, multiple sclerosis may be discovered;
       (B) continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the 
     quality of, health care services for people with multiple 
     sclerosis;
       (C) endeavor to raise public awareness about the symptoms 
     of multiple sclerosis; and
       (D) endeavor to raise health professional's awareness about 
     diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the best course of 
     treatment for people with the disease.

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I introduce a Resolution which 
would express the support of Congress for activities that will raise 
public awareness of multiple sclerosis.
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease of the 
central nervous system. Symptoms can range from mild numbness in the 
limbs to paralysis and blindness. Most people with MS are diagnosed 
between the ages of 20 and 40, but the unpredictable physical and 
emotional effects of this debilitating disease can be lifelong. The 
progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot 
yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving 
hope to those affected by the disease. It is known that MS afflicts 
twice as many women as men, however, once an individual is diagnosed 
with MS their symptoms can be effectively managed and complications 
avoided through regular medical care.
  Nationally, it is estimated that between 250,000 and 350,000 
individuals

[[Page S1423]]

suffer from MS, which is approximately 1 out of every 1,000 people. In 
Rhode Island, the rate is slightly higher--1.5 out of every 1,000. Over 
3,000 individuals and their families in my home state are affected by 
this disease.
  It is my hope that through this resolution we can bring greater 
attention to the devastating affects of this disease, while also 
building support for additional research. It is through more intensive 
research efforts by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health 
that we will better understand some of the potential causes of this 
disease, as well as develop more effective methods of treatment, and 
maybe someday prevention. Indeed, it is only with greater resources 
that we can build public awareness about MS and enhance our scientific 
understanding of this mysterious illness.
  I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude 
to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as well as the Rhode Island 
Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society for their encouragement and 
assistance in developing this important Resolution. It is through their 
grassroots efforts that individuals suffering from MS can get 
information about their disease as well as learn more about resources 
available in their communities, research being conducted, and support 
services for family members. Their support is essential to those who 
have been afflicted with MS, and I hope that through this resolution 
the Congress can assist in bolstering these important efforts.
  In closing, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important Resolution to raise awareness and encourage people to become 
more educated about this debilitating disease.

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