[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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