[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1847-H1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY AWARENESS 
                                 MONTH

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1005) supporting the goals and ideals 
of Borderline Personality Awareness Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1005

       Whereas borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects the 
     regulation of emotion and afflicts approximately 2 percent of 
     the general population;
       Whereas BPD is a leading cause of suicide, as an estimated 
     10 percent of individuals with this disorder take their own 
     lives;
       Whereas BPD usually manifests itself in adolescence and 
     early adulthood;
       Whereas symptoms of BPD include self-injury; rage; 
     substance abuse; destructive impulsiveness; a pattern of 
     unstable emotions, self-image, and relationships; and may 
     result in suicide;
       Whereas BPD is inheritable and is exacerbated by 
     environmental factors;
       Whereas official recognition of BPD is relatively new, and 
     diagnosing it is often impeded by lack of awareness and 
     frequent co-occurrence with other conditions, such as 
     depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anxiety, and 
     eating disorders;
       Whereas despite its prevalence, enormous public health 
     costs, and the devastating toll it takes on individuals, 
     families, and communities, BPD only recently has begun to 
     command the attention it requires;
       Whereas it is essential to increase awareness of BPD among 
     people suffering from this disorder, their families, mental 
     health professionals, and the general public by promoting 
     education, research, funding, early detection, and effective 
     treatments; and
       Whereas the National Education Alliance for Borderline 
     Personality Disorder and the National Alliance on Mental 
     Illness have requested that Congress designate May as 
     Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month as a means of 
     educating our Nation about this disorder, the needs of those 
     suffering from it, and its consequences: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
     goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness 
     Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. 
Res. 1005, as amended, which expresses support for greater recognition 
of the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Awareness Month.
  H. Res. 1005 was introduced by Representative Tom Davis of Virginia, 
a longstanding member and leader on the Oversight and Government Reform 
Committee, on February 27, 2008, and has the support and cosponsorship 
of over 50 Members of Congress. The measure was considered by the 
Oversight panel on March 13, 2008, and was passed by voice vote at that 
time after being amended for technical purposes.
  Madam Speaker, while many people may not be aware of borderline 
personality disorder, it is a mental illness that is more common than 
bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and has been found to affect a 
little over 2 percent of adults, particularly young women.
  BPD, as it is commonly referred to as, is a serious mental illness 
characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal 
relationships, self-image, and behavior. The instability caused by this 
illness often leads to disruptions in one's family and work life, long-
term planning, and ultimately a person's sense of self-identity.
  Each and every one of us has a personality; however, for those 
individuals who suffer from personality traits that are inflexible, 
maladaptive, or psychologically disruptive, more research and awareness 
on borderline personality disorder is an absolute must. And that is why 
I rise in support of H. Res. 1005. Passage of this measure will help to 
raise the profile and the general public's understanding of borderline 
personality disorder and the corresponding BPD month of awareness.
  I commend Representative Davis from Virginia for introducing this 
legislation and urge its passage.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, mental illness affects Americans all across the 
Nation. It afflicts those of us from all races, colors, religions, and 
income levels. It doesn't wait for a convenient time to surface. It 
strikes indiscriminately, without regard to the challenges, pain, and 
anguish it visits upon the families and friends of its victims.
  It is important that we recognize the struggle people with these 
afflictions endure as they strive for a normal life. It is equally 
important we recognize the struggles visited upon those friends and 
family members who have to cope with the disease and, often, the victim 
him or herself.
  Today, this House will take an important step in raising awareness of 
a little known and often misunderstood mental illness. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting the designation of May as 
Borderline Personality Awareness Month.
  Borderline personality disorder is a devastating psychiatric disorder 
caused by the inability of the afflicted individual to manage emotions 
effectively. Symptoms of this disorder include impulsivity, mood 
swings, episodes of rage, bodily self-harm, chaotic relationships, and 
fear of abandonment. Some people with this disorder can't hold a job. 
Others are high functioning. But in any case their private lives are 
often in turmoil.
  More than 3 million American adults have borderline personality 
disorder. Twenty percent of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals 
have borderline personality disorder. Their victims have a suicide rate 
400 times that of the general population.
  Madam Speaker, these numbers call us to action. Although this 
disorder was officially recognized by the psychiatric community in 
1980, studies have shown it lags far behind in research, treatment 
options, and family education compared to other psychiatric disorders 
of similar prevalence. With passage of H. Res. 1005, this House will 
take an important step in spreading awareness of this disorder. Madam 
Speaker, the National Alliance on Mental Illness maintains a help line 
at 1-800-950-6264 for general information on mental illness. This help 
line can help those in need of assistance.
  I am proud to have sponsored this resolution and am greatly 
encouraged by our considering of it today. Passage of this will go a 
long way to increase awareness of its existence and the heavy toll this 
disorder takes on our society. I applaud the work the National Alliance 
on Mental Illness and the National Education Alliance on Borderline 
Personality Disorder have been doing throughout our Nation in this 
vital area.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
1005, a resolution supporting the designation of May as Borderline 
Personality Disorder Awareness Month. I want to thank my colleague Tom 
Davis for his leadership on an issue that is very important to many 
Americans.
  Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental health illness 
that centers on the inability of people to manage their emotions 
effectively. Approximately 4 million Americans suffer from borderline 
personality disorder. Its symptoms include destructive impulsiveness, 
rage, marked shifts in mood, bodily self-harm,

[[Page H1848]]

chaotic relationships, fears of abandonment, substance abuse, and 
unstable self-identity. Although it was officially recognized in 1980 
by the psychiatric community, borderline personality disorder is at 
least two decades behind in research, treatment options, and education 
compared to other major mental illnesses.
  Borderline personality disorder can have a devastating impact on 
people's lives. While some persons with this disorder may be 
functioning normally in certain settings, their private lives are often 
in turmoil. Others are unable to work and require financial support. If 
Americans would like more information on borderline personality 
disorder, I encourage them to visit the National Education Alliance for 
Borderline Personality Disorder Web site at www.neabpd.org or the 
National Alliance on Mental Illness Web site at www.nami.org.
 Madam Speaker, this resolution acknowledges the pressing burden of 
those afflicted with borderline personality disorder and seeks to 
spread awareness of this under-recognized, and often misunderstood, 
mental illness. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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 resolution, H. Res. 1005, as amended.
  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 Virginia. Madam 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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