[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 229--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF CHRONIC 
             OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. CRAPO submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 229

       Whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (``COPD'') is 
     primarily associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis;
       Whereas an estimated 10,000,000 adults in the United States 
     have been diagnosed by a physician with COPD;
       Whereas an estimated 24,000,000 adults in the United States 
     have symptoms of impaired lung function, indicating that COPD 
     is underdiagnosed;
       Whereas COPD is progressive and is not fully reversible;
       Whereas as COPD progresses, the airways and alveoli in the 
     lungs lose elasticity and the airway walls collapse, closing 
     off smaller airways and narrowing larger ones;
       Whereas symptoms of COPD include chronic coughing, 
     shortness of breath, increased effort to breathe, increased 
     mucus production, and frequent clearing of the throat;
       Whereas risk factors for COPD include long-term smoking, a 
     family history of COPD, exposure to air pollution or second-
     hand smoke, and a history of frequent childhood respiratory 
     infections;
       Whereas more than half of all adults who suffer from COPD 
     report that their condition limits their ability to work, 
     sleep, and participate in social and physical activities;
       Whereas more than half of all adults who suffer from COPD 
     feel they are not in control of their breathing, panic when 
     they cannot catch their breath, and expect their condition to 
     worsen;
       Whereas nearly 119,000 adults died in the United States of 
     COPD in 2000, making COPD the fourth leading cause of death 
     in the United States;
       Whereas COPD accounted for 8,000,000 office visits to 
     doctors, 1,500,000 emergency department visits, and 726,000 
     hospitalizations by adults in the United States in 2000;
       Whereas COPD cost the economy of the United States an 
     estimated $32,100,000,000 in 2002;
       Whereas too many people with COPD are not diagnosed or are 
     not receiving adequate treatment; and
       Whereas the establishment of a Chronic Obstructive 
     Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month would raise public 
     awareness about the prevalence of chronic obstructive 
     pulmonary disease and the serious problems associated with 
     the disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 
     Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month.


     

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