[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 21, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 97--EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF CONGRESS FOR 
    ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; 
                        CONSIDERED AND AGREED TO

  Mr. REED (for himself, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Smith of New Hampshire) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 97

       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.

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