[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 20--EXPRESSING THE NEED FOR ENHANCED 
    PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SUPPORT FOR THE 
         DESIGNATION OF A NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. COCHRAN (for himself and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                            S. Con. Res. 20

       Whereas traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death 
     and disability among children and young adults in the United 
     States;
       Whereas at least 1,400,000 people in the United States 
     sustain a traumatic brain injury each year;
       Whereas each year, more than 80,000 people in the United 
     States sustain permanent life-long disabilities from a 
     traumatic brain injury, that can include the serious 
     physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments;
       Whereas every 21 seconds, a person in the United States 
     sustains a traumatic brain injury;
       Whereas at least 5,300,000 people in the United States 
     currently live with permanent disabilities resulting from a 
     traumatic brain injury;
       Whereas most cases of traumatic brain injury are 
     preventable;
       Whereas traumatic brain injuries cost the Nation 
     $56,300,000,000 annually;
       Whereas the lack of public awareness is so vast that 
     traumatic brain injury is known in the disability community 
     as the Nation's ``silent epidemic'';
       Whereas the designation of a National Brain Injury 
     Awareness Month will work toward enhancing public awareness 
     of traumatic brain injury; and
       Whereas the Brain Injury Association of America has 
     recognized March as Brain Injury Awareness Month: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the life-altering impact traumatic brain 
     injury may have both on people living with the resultant 
     disabilities and on their families;
       (2) recognizes the need for enhanced public awareness of 
     traumatic brain injury;
       (3) supports the designation of an appropriate month as 
     National Brain Injury Awareness Month; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     National Brain Injury Awareness Month with appropriate 
     programs and activities.

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