[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 27, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S3981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL CUSHING'S SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 127.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 127) designating April 8, 2007 as 
     ``National Cushing's Syndrome Awareness Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to have proudly introduced a 
resolution designating April 8, 2007, as ``National Cushing's Syndrome 
Awareness Day.'' I have long been dedicated to quality health care and 
therefore seek to raise awareness of this debilitating disorder that 
affects an estimated 10 to 15 people per million.
  I seek your help in raising awareness of Cushing's Syndrome, which is 
an endocrine or hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the 
body's tissue to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Though it can 
lead to death, Cushing's Syndrome often goes undiagnosed or 
misdiagnosed because the initial symptoms are shared with a number of 
milder ailments. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, 
abnormal weight gain, skin changes, fatigue, diabetes, high blood 
pressure, depression, and osteoporosis.
  Cushing's Syndrome can take a variety of forms. Normally, the 
hypothalamus, a part of the brain which is about the size of a small 
sugar cube, stimulates the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands, and 
then the kidneys, which release cortisol into the bloodstream. High 
levels of cortisol can result from overproducing cortisol or from 
taking glucocorticoid hormones, which are routinely prescribed for 
asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory diseases.
  Doctors can detect Cushing's Syndrome through a series of tests, 
often using x-rays to examine adrenal or pituitary glands to locate 
tumors. However, since awareness of the syndrome is low, doctors do not 
always run these tests, and patients do not know to ask for them. 
Therefore, treatment often comes later than it should for victims of 
Cushing's Syndrome. Potential treatments for Cushing's Syndrome include 
surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, cortisol-inhibiting drugs, or 
reducing the dosage of glucocorticoid hormones.
  The need for heightened awareness of Cushing's Syndrome was brought 
to my attention by constituents who suffer from this dangerous disease. 
For the sake of these individuals and for the benefit of sufferers in 
your own State and around the Nation, I ask you to join me in this 
effort to raise awareness of Cushing's Syndrome.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 127) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 127

       Whereas Cushing's Syndrome annually affects an estimated 10 
     to 15 people per million, most of whom are currently between 
     the ages of 20 and 50;
       Whereas Cushing's Syndrome is an endocrine or hormonal 
     disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissue to 
     high levels of the hormone cortisol;
       Whereas exposure to cortisol can occur by overproduction in 
     the body or by taking glucocrticoid hormones, which are 
     routinely prescribed for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, 
     or as an immunosuppressant following transplantation;
       Whereas the syndrome may also result from pituitary 
     adenomas, ectopic ACTH syndrome, adrenal tumors, and Familial 
     Cushing's Syndrome;
       Whereas Cushing's Syndrome can cause abnormal weight gain, 
     skin changes, and fatigue and ultimately lead to diabetes, 
     high blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis, and death;
       Whereas Cushing's Syndrome is diagnosed through a series of 
     tests, often requiring x-ray examinations of adrenal or 
     pituitary glands to locate tumors;
       Whereas many people who suffer from Cushing's Syndrome are 
     misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed for years because many of the 
     symptoms are mirrored in milder diseases, thereby delaying 
     important treatment options;
       Whereas treatments for Cushing's Syndrome include surgery, 
     radiation, chemotherapy, cortisol-inhibiting drugs, and 
     reducing the dosage of glucocorticoid hormones;
       Whereas Cushing's Syndrome was discovered by Dr. Harvey 
     Williams Cushing, who was born on April 8th, 1869;
       Whereas the Dr. Harvey Cushing stamp was part of the United 
     States Postal Service's ``Great American'' series, initiated 
     in 1980 to recognize individuals for making significant 
     contributions to the heritage and culture of the United 
     States;
       Whereas President Ronald Reagan spoke on April 8, 1987, in 
     the Rose Garden at a White House ceremony to unveil the 
     commemorative stamp honoring Dr. Harvey Cushing;
       Whereas following the ceremony, President Reagan hosted a 
     reception in the State Dining Room for Mrs. John Hay Whitney, 
     Dr. Cushing's daughter, and representatives of the American 
     Association of Neurological Surgeons; and
       Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise 
     awareness in the general public and the medical community of 
     Cushing's Syndrome; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 8, 2007, as ``National Cushing's 
     Syndrome Awareness Day'';
       (2) recognizes that all Americans should become more 
     informed and aware of Cushing's Syndrome;
       (3) Calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     the date with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
       (4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the Cushing's Understanding, Support & 
     Help Organization.

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