[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10706-H10707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 210) supporting the
goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 210
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder
that is a major health problem in the United States,
primarily affecting African Americans;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction of
sickle cells, which results in multiple medical
complications, including anemia, jaundice, gallstones,
strokes, and restricted blood flow, damaging tissue in the
liver, spleen, and kidneys, and death;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes episodes of considerable
pain in one's arms, legs, chest, and abdomen;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease affects over 70,000 Americans;
[[Page H10707]]
Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with Sickle
Cell Disease each year in the United States, with the disease
occurring in approximately 1 in 300 newborn African American
infants;
Whereas more than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell
trait, and 1 in 12 African Americans carry the trait;
Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to
parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the
disease;
Whereas the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell
Disease is severely limited, with an average life span for an
adult being 45 years;
Whereas, though researchers have yet to identify a cure for
this painful disease, advances in treating the associated
complications have occurred;
Whereas researchers are hopeful that in less than two
decades, Sickle Cell Disease may join the ranks of chronic
illnesses that, when properly treated, do not interfere with
the activity, growth, or mental development of affected
children;
Whereas Congress recognizes the importance of researching,
preventing, and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing
treatment centers to provide medical intervention, education,
and other services and by permitting the Medicaid program to
cover some primary and secondary preventative medical
strategies for children and adults with Sickle Cell Disease;
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
Inc. remains the preeminent advocacy organization that serves
the sickle cell community by focusing its efforts on public
policy, research funding, patient services, public awareness,
and education related to developing effective treatments and
a cure for Sickle Cell Disease; and
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
Inc. has requested that the Congress designate September as
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to educate
communities across the Nation about sickle cell and the need
for research funding, early detection methods, effective
treatments, and prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress supports the goals and ideals
of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res 210, which pays
homage to a tradition that both the Senate and House have honored for
over two decades.
In 1983, Congress first recognized September as the month to
nationally commemorate sickle cell disease awareness. And it is in that
same vein today that I ask for support of H. Con. Res 210.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by
affected red blood cells that mutate into the shape of a crescent or
sickle, and as such are unable to pass through small blood vessels. The
horrific outcomes of this condition include considerable pain in one's
arms, chest, legs and abdomen, anemia, gallstone, strokes, as well as
damaging tissue in the liver, spleen, kidney, and death.
This disease affects over 70,000 Americans and cripples over 1,000
newborn babies each year in the United States. By supporting H. Con.
Res 210, we acknowledge the importance of raising awareness for advance
in sickle cell disease research, prevention treatment and potential
cure.
As the sponsor of H. Con. Res 210, I would urge all of my colleagues
to support swift passage of this bill.
I would also just note, Mr. Speaker, that the devastation of this
disease on those who are affected by it is, indeed, tremendous. I have
had firsthand experience with it by virtue of having run a sickle cell
community education project for the University of Illinois in Chicago
and came in contact with many of the patients and their families; saw
the pain and suffering firsthand. And so I would urge passage of this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I congratulate Mr. Davis for bringing this important resolution to
the floor.
This resolution seeks to bring attention to sickle cell disease and
to support the designation of September as Sickle Cell Disease
Awareness Month.
Sickle cell disease is a deadly genetic blood disorder that strikes
primarily people of African descent. Those affected by the disease most
often appear to be healthy, but their lives are disturbed by sporadic
and painful attacks in their arms, legs, chest and abdomen. SCD also
causes the rapid destruction of sickle cells that results in multiple
medical complications, including anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes,
and restricted blood flow causing tissue damage, cardiovascular and
organ damage.
Approximately 80,000 African Americans suffer from sickle cell
disease, and millions are affected worldwide. Statistics shockingly
show that one in every 350 African American babies born in the United
States has the disease, and one in eight African American babies carry
the sickle cell trait. There is a one-in-four chance that a child born
to parents who both carry the sickle cell trait will have the disease.
Life expectancy is limited, as an average life span for an adult with
the disease is only about 45 years.
A universal cure, though, remains elusive. However, early diagnosis
through newborn screening and education has improved survival and
quality of life for those who suffer from SCD. Because SCD affects so
many people and research funding is critical to effectively treating
and ultimately preventing the disease, we are grateful for
organizations such as the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
that continue to shine the light of hope for all of those affected.
Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support the designation of the
month of September as National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month so
that communities throughout the country will become aware of this
disease and the need for additional research, effective treatments and
prevention programs that will ultimately lead to a cure.
I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 210.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman
from Illinois, Representative Biggert, for her support of this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 210.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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