[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS--MAY 15, 2002

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       SENATE RESOLUTION 270--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 13, 
     2002, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2002, AS ``NATIONAL CYSTIC FIBROSIS 
     AWARENESS WEEK''
  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. DeWine, and Mr. Kerry) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 270

       Whereas cystic fibrosis is one of the most common fatal 
     genetic diseases in the United States and there is no known 
     cure;
       Whereas cystic fibrosis, characterized by digestive 
     disorders and chronic lung infections, is a fatal lung 
     disease;
       Whereas a total of more than 10,000,000 Americans are 
     unknowing carriers of cystic fibrosis;
       Whereas one out of every 3,900 babies in the United States 
     is born with cystic fibrosis;
       Whereas approximately 30,000 people in the United States, 
     many of whom are children, have cystic fibrosis;
       Whereas the average life expectancy of an individual with 
     cystic fibrosis is 32 years;
       Whereas prompt, aggressive treatment of the symptoms of 
     cystic fibrosis can extend the lives of those who have this 
     disease;
       Whereas recent advances in cystic fibrosis research have 
     produced promising leads in gene, protein, and drug 
     therapies; and
       Whereas education can help inform the public of the 
     symptoms of cystic fibrosis, which will assist in early 
     diagnoses, and increase knowledge and understanding of this 
     disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of October 13, 2002, through 
     October 19, 2002, as ``National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness 
     Week'';
       (2) commits to increasing the quality of life for 
     individuals with cystic fibrosis by promoting public 
     knowledge and understanding in a manner that will result in 
     earlier diagnoses, more fund raising efforts for research, 
     and increased levels of support for those with cystic 
     fibrosis and their families; and
       (3) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     on the people of the United States to observe the week with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution 
recognizing October 13, 2002, through October 19, 2002, as National 
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week. I am pleased to be joined by my 
colleagues Senators DeWine and Kerry in submitting this resolution. We 
are hopeful that greater awareness of cystic fibrosis, CF, will lead to 
a cure.
  Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common fatal genetic diseases in 
the United States and there is no known cure. It affects approximately 
30,000 children and adults in the United States. There are about 1,000 
new cases of CF diagnosed each year. While most of these individuals 
are diagnosed by the age of three, others are not recognized as having 
CF until they are age 18 years, or older. Today, the life expectancy 
for someone with CF is 32 years. I believe we must do what we can to 
change these statistics.
  While there is no cure, early detection and prompt treatment can 
significantly improve and extend the lives of those with CF. My home 
State of Colorado was one of the first States to require CF screening 
for newborns. Happily, more States are now performing this simple test.
  And, since the discovery of the defective CF gene in 1989, CF 
research has greatly accelerated. I am proud that Colorado is home to 
the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Children's 
Hospital, both of which are actively involved in CF research and care. 
Children's Hospital is one of eight innovative Therapeutics Development 
Centers performing cutting edge clinical research to develop new 
treatments for CF.
  Currently, the CF Foundation oversees more than 25 CF clinical 
trials. In addition, small pilot trials are carried out in the 115 
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care centers across the United 
States. And, organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Research, Inc. 
also sponsor studies for treatment of the disease. Efforts such as 
these throughout the nation are providing a greater quality of life for 
those who have CF. I applaud these efforts.
  While I am encouraged by the CF research in Colorado and elsewhere, 
more needs to be done. I believe we can increase the quality of life 
for individuals with Cystic Fibrosis by promoting public knowledge and 
understanding of the disease in a manner that will result in earlier 
diagnoses, more fund raising efforts for research, and increased levels 
of support for those who have CF and their families.
  Therefore, I urge my colleagues to act on this resolution so we can 
move another step closer to eradicating this disease.

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