[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 13, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 24--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR A NATIONAL 
           REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY (RSD) AWARENESS MONTH

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

                            S. Con. Res. 24

       Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (referred to in this 
     resolution as ``RSD'') is an extremely painful progressive 
     disease of the nervous system resulting from a simple trauma, 
     infection, or surgery that can lead to chronic inflammation, 
     spasms, burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration of the 
     skin, muscles, blood vessels, and bones;
       Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts 
     an estimated 7,000,000 children and adults, the majority of 
     whom are women;
       Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, 
     inhibiting the early diagnosis and treatment needed for 
     recovery and contributing to dismissals of patients' pain and 
     suffering;
       Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment 
     involves multiple medications and therapies with costs that 
     can be prohibitive;
       Whereas Betsy Herman established the RSDHope Teen Corner in 
     1998 and she and countless others advocates have worked 
     tirelessly to provide information and support to RSD 
     sufferers and their families and friends and to bring 
     national attention to this crippling disease; and
       Whereas each May is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness 
     Month, the goal of which is to educate the public about the 
     nature and effects of this terrible disease: Now, 
     therefore,be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) all Americans should take an active role in combatting 
     reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by recognizing its 
     symptoms (which often follow an injury or surgery), such as 
     constant burning pain, skin irritation, inflammation, muscle 
     spasms, fatigue, and insomnia;
       (2) national and community organizations should be 
     recognized and applauded for their work in promoting 
     awareness about RSD and for providing information and support 
     to its sufferers;
       (3) health care providers should continue to increase their 
     efforts to diagnose the disease in its earliest possible 
     stages to increase the likelihood of remission; and
       (4) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
       (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the importance of the 
     early detection and proper treatment RSD;
       (B) work to increase research funding so that the causes 
     of, and improved treatment and cure for, RSD may be 
     discovered; and
       (C) continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the 
     quality of, health care services for detecting and treating 
     RSD.

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