[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2164-S2165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 484--DESIGNATING MARCH 25, 2008, AS ``NATIONAL 
                     CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was:

                              S. Res. 484

       Whereas cerebral palsy is any number of neurological 
     disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and 
     permanently affect body movement and the muscle coordination 
     necessary to maintain balance and posture;
       Whereas cerebral palsy is caused by damage to 1 or more 
     specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal 
     development, before, during, or shortly after birth, or 
     during infancy;
       Whereas the majority of children are born with cerebral 
     palsy, although it may not be detected until months or years 
     later;
       Whereas 75 percent of individuals with cerebral palsy also 
     have 1 or more additional developmental disabilities 
     including epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism and 
     visual impairments, or blindness;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     recently released information indicating an increase in the 
     prevalence of cerebral palsy and that the rate is now about 1 
     in 278 children;
       Whereas 800,000 Americans are affected by cerebral palsy;
       Whereas, while there is no current cure for cerebral palsy, 
     some treatment will often improve a child's capabilities and 
     scientists and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs 
     will be forthcoming;
       Whereas researchers across the Nation are conducting 
     important research projects involving cerebral palsy; and
       Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise 
     awareness in the general public and the medical community of 
     cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 25, 2008, as ``National Cerebral Palsy 
     Awareness Day'';
       (2) recognizes that all people of the United States should 
     become more informed and aware of cerebral palsy; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to Reaching for the Stars: 
     A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition today to offer 
a resolution to designate March 25, 2008, as National Cerebral Palsy 
Awareness Day.
  Cerebral palsy is a group of chronic, neurological disorders that 
appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body 
movement and muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and 
posture. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to one or more specific 
areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, 
during or shortly after birth; or during infancy. The top two risk 
factors for the disorders are premature births and multiple births, and 
despite the introductions of modern prenatal testing, improved 
obstetric care, and newborn intensive care technologies, the rate of 
incidence has increased in the United States. These disorders are not 
caused by problems in the muscles or nerves but, instead, faulty 
development or damage to motor areas in the brain.
  Cerebral palsy currently affects children at a rate of 1 in 278 and 
an estimated 800,000 Americans. The majority of children who have 
cerebral palsy are born with it, rather than developing the disorder 
over time; however, it may not be detected for months or years. Over 
seventy-five percent of individuals with cerebral palsy also have one 
or more additional developmental disability including epilepsy, 
intellectual disability, autism and visual impairments or blindness. 
The disorders are not progressive and non-communicable.
  Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. There are treatments, 
however, which can serve to alleviate some of the symptoms. Treatments 
now include physical and occupational therapy; speech therapy; drugs to 
control seizures, relax muscle spasms, and alleviate pain; surgery to 
correct anatomical abnormalities or release tight muscles; braces and 
other orthotic devices; wheelchairs and rolling walkers; and 
communication aids such as computers with attached voice synthesizers.
  It is essential that more research be conducted on ways in which to 
prevent and treat cerebral palsy. As Chairman of the Labor, Health and 
Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, I led the 
effort to double funding for the National Institutes of Health, NIH. 
Funding for the NIH has increased from $11.3 billion in fiscal year 
1995 to $29.2 billion in fiscal year 2008. In 2007, the NIH provided 
$16 million for cerebral palsy research, which is a $4.5 million 
increase over 2000, when the NIH provided $11.5 million. The Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, recently conducted a study on 
the prevalence rates of cerebral palsy across the nation and found

[[Page S2165]]

the rates to be much higher than originally expected. This report will 
help the CDC to provide a more comprehensive picture of cerebral palsy 
and advance efforts to provide better services for these children.
  Raising awareness of cerebral palsy is integral in the fight against 
this debilitating condition. I encourage my colleagues to work with 
Senator Casey and me to designate March 25, 2008 as ``National Cerebral 
Palsy Awareness Day.''
  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I am proud to submit, along with Senator 
Specter, this resolution declaring March 25 as National Cerebral Palsy 
Awareness Day. With this resolution, it is my hope that we can increase 
education and public awareness about cerebral palsy among the general 
public and the medical community.
  Cerebral palsy, commonly referred to as CP, is not one disorder but 
many. It includes any number of neurological disorders that may appear 
in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and 
the muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture. CP 
is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually 
occurring during fetal development, or before or during birth or 
shortly thereafter.
  Although most children with CP are born with it, it is often not 
detected until months or years later. The Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention estimate that about 10,000 babies will develop cerebral 
palsy each year in the United States. According to the March of Dimes, 
about 2 to 3 children per 1,000 have cerebral palsy.
  An estimated 800,000 people in the United States have CP. The average 
lifetime cost of cerebral palsy is estimated at nearly $1.5 million. 
This includes expenses associated with additional doctor visits, speech 
and physical therapy, surgery, prescription drugs, transportation, 
emergency room visits, residential care, and other needed expenses. 
Children with cerebral palsy need much more attention than other 
children do. They have special needs for movement, interaction, and 
communication and require daily assistance and therapy. Many times, 
parents do not know where to turn.
  Clearly, children and families affected by cerebral palsy need our 
help, our understanding, and resources for research and treatment. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released 
information showing that the incidence of cerebral palsy is increasing 
and the rate is now about 1 in 278 children. While we presently have no 
cure for cerebral palsy, we do have treatments that will do much to 
improve a child's abilities to live the fullest life possible. Most 
children with CP have the capacity for intellectual and emotional 
development, sometimes far beyond what others may expect of them. Life 
may be more challenging and stressful, but that should not prevent 
these children from getting all the help and resources we can offer 
them and their families.
  Scientists and researchers are hopeful that we will achieve a 
breakthrough in treating cerebral palsy. But to do so, we must make 
this disorder a priority in our research and medical communities.
  Every child and adult with cerebral palsy faces unique challenges and 
their treatment and therapy must be tailored to meet their own unique 
needs. But they do have one thing in common--they all share an 
intrinsic value and worth as human beings and children of God, equal to 
the value and worth of any other human being on this Earth. Many times, 
individuals with disabilities in one area have great gifts in other 
areas. With loving attention and care--and with more research into 
treatments and assistive resources--individuals with cerebral palsy can 
access their own unique gifts and full potential. Increasing public 
awareness about CP can help the general public to understand the 
contributions such individuals have to make to their families, 
communities and our society at large.
  It is my fervent hope that this resolution will help Americans to 
understand and recognize the importance of assisting our fellow 
citizens who have cerebral palsy, of providing support for their family 
members and research dollars for foundations and leading Government 
agencies.

                          ____________________