[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 30, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2904-H2906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 2008 AS NATIONAL
SARCOIDOSIS AWARENESS MONTH
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1149) expressing support for the
designation of April 2008 as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and
supporting efforts to devote new resources to research the causes of
the disease, environmental and otherwise, along with treatments and
workforce strategies to support individuals with sarcoidosis, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1149
Whereas sarcoidosis is a noncontagious systemic disease of
unknown origin and is commonly diagnosed with the detection
of inflamed, microscopic growths called granulomas that grow
and often affect the lungs, skin, eyes, and nervous system;
Whereas sarcoidosis can affect any organ of the body and
more than one organ at any given time;
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Whereas the inflammation of such vital organs may cause
seizures, blindness, disfiguring lesions, and heart failure;
Whereas many individuals stricken with sarcoidosis
eventually develop a serious disabling or potentially fatal
condition;
Whereas sarcoidosis was once thought to be an uncommon
condition, but is now known to affect tens of thousands of
people throughout the United States;
Whereas sarcoidosis afflicts African-Americans up to 8
times more frequently than other races;
Whereas as many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms,
it is difficult to measure how many people have the
condition;
Whereas sarcoidosis is a disease that affects Americans
nationwide and people around the world, and yet its causes
and potential treatments remain a mystery;
Whereas skin-related symptoms of this chronic,
multisystemic disease were first recognized more than 100
years ago, but the effects of the disease on other organs
were not observed until the first quarter of this century;
Whereas sarcoidosis was the chief diagnosis of the death of
fluorescent light bulb workers in Salem, Massachusetts in the
1940s;
Whereas sarcoidosis was the first diagnosis for an
overwhelming majority of rescue workers' health conditions on
September 11, 2001;
Whereas sarcoidosis has been documented to be
disproportionately found among factory workers and Navy
deckgrinders;
Whereas today, researchers are still trying to learn more
about the causes, cures, and overall nature of this
affliction;
Whereas the American Lung Association has actively
advocated for more research to better understand how
environmental and occupational exposures may increase the
risk of sarcoidosis;
Whereas the National Sarcoidosis Society strives to serve
those afflicted by the disease by focusing its efforts on
public policy, research funding, patient services, public
awareness and education, and finding a cure; and
Whereas April 2008 would be appropriate to designate as
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month to increase public
awareness of the need to support individuals with
sarcoidosis, to raise awareness of the environmental and
occupational issues associated with sarcoidosis, and to
educate medical professionals who care for individuals with
sarcoidosis: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Sarcoidosis
Awareness Month;
(2) recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a prominent yet
hidden role in America's workforce history;
(3) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and
organizations who observe National Sarcoidosis Awareness
Month with appropriate activities to further promote
awareness of the disease; and
(4) supports research efforts to better understand the
links between sarcoidosis and specific occupations where
sarcoidosis is disproportionately represented.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts)
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
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and insert material relevant to H. Res. 1149 into the Record.
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
might consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1149,
commemorating April 2008 as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, tens of
thousands of Americans nationwide are afflicted with this disease.
However, currently, there is no cure, no definitive identification of
exactly what causes sarcoidosis, no known measures to prevent it, and
many people who have sarcoidosis do not exhibit any symptoms. So one
might ask the question, what is sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is characterized by the inflammation associated with the
production of tiny lumps of cells in various organs of our bodies
called granulomas because they look like grains of sugar or sand. These
grain-like cells grow and clump together in an organ, affecting how the
organ works.
{time} 1545
The increase of these growths can inflame vital organs like the lung,
brain, skin, eyes and nervous system, causing seizures, blindness,
disfiguring lesions, heart failure and sometimes even death.
Sarcoidosis is overrepresented among African Americans compared to
other races and ethnic groups, and afflicts African Americans more
severely than other races in this country.
By documenting the prevalence of sarcoidosis among fluorescent light
bulb workers in the 1940s and among U.S. Navy deck grinders, and
recognizing that sarcoidosis disproportionately affects factory workers
and was the first diagnosis for an overwhelming majority of rescue
workers in New York after the September 11, 2001, attacks, researchers
at the American Lung Association have uncovered a link between certain
types of occupations and this disease.
More careful monitoring of a sarcoidosis diagnosis can dramatically
improve public health, including the health of civilian and military
workers. It is my hope that by passing this legislation, we will
promote more careful examination and investigation of sarcoidosis
diagnosis, and lead to the reduction of morbidity and mortality of
workers, as well as reduce costs.
By supporting House Resolution 1149 designating April 2008 as
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, we as the House of
Representatives of these United States of America will demonstrate our
acknowledgment of and commitment to the importance of raising awareness
for the purpose of uncovering the causes of sarcoidosis disease,
environmental and otherwise, and the promotion of strategies to support
and protect our thriving workforce. I urge passage of this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1149, expressing support
for the designation of the month of April 2008 as National Sarcoidosis
Awareness Month to bring attention to this disease, its potential
causes, and the need for research on the causes and potential
treatments.
Sarcoidosis is a noncontagious systemic disease of unknown origin
that causes inflamed, microscopic growths called granulomas that often
affect one or more systems in the body, including the lungs, skin,
eyes, and nervous system. This disease is sometimes difficult to
diagnose.
The American Lung Association reports that more than 90 percent of
the people diagnosed with sarcoidosis experience some degree of problem
with their lungs which may reduce their ability to absorb oxygen.
Because of scarring caused by the inflammations, between 20 and 30
percent of people with pulmonary sarcoidosis end up with some degree of
permanent lung damage. Although death is relatively uncommon, mortality
can occur due to lung failure or if the disease causes serious damage
to a vital organ other than the lungs.
It has been observed that the disease occurs throughout the world in
all races and both sexes, although gender and ethnicity may have an
impact on the risk of developing sarcoidosis and its severity. Women
and people of African descent, along with those of Scandinavian,
German, Irish and Puerto Rican descent, are particularly prone to the
disease and its more chronic and serious manifestations. The reasons
for this are yet unknown.
The cause or causes of sarcoidosis remain a mystery. Our best medical
evidence to date has not discovered the extent to which lifestyle,
environment, or heredity affects the development, severity, or length
of this disease.
The American Lung Association reports that most researchers believe
that the disease involves an altered immune system. Some studies
suggest sarcoidosis is caused by a respiratory infection triggered by
bacteria or a virus, or even by exposure to burning wood. Others
suggest possible occupational or environmental risks. And some studies
also show that sarcoidosis may run within families, suggesting a
genetic link.
Medical science has developed treatments that manage the symptoms of
the disease, but no treatment is clearly effective for a prolonged
period, and there is no cure.
Considering the broad reach of this disease, across people of
different genders and ethnicities throughout the
[[Page H2906]]
world, and the lack of scientific evidence as to its cause or a cure,
it is important to acknowledge the efforts of individuals and
organizations to observe National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month and work
on promoting awareness and the search for the cause and effective
treatments. I am pleased, therefore, to stand in support of this
resolution and ask for a ``yes'' vote.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to be the
sponsor of this resolution, and I want to commend and thank all of the
sarcoidosis activists who have visited my office, who have called me,
who have written letters and telegrams and e-mails urging that we do
something to further promote and raise awareness around this illness. I
am pleased we have this resolution on the floor today. I urge its
passage.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House
Resolution 1149, which expresses support for the designation of April
2008 as National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that produces tiny lumps of
cells called granulomas in the lungs, lymph nodes or skin. The cause of
sarcoidosis is unclear, but it has been associated with exposures to
organic and chemical dusts, metals, silica and wood dust or smoke.
We know that New York City Fire Fighters who responded to the World
Trade Center collapses in the aftermath of 9/11 have markedly higher
rates of sarcoidosis. In the year immediately following 9/11, there was
a 6-fold increase from pre-9/11 levels.
There's no doubt that many heroes of 9/11 are sick because of their
exposure to Ground Zero toxins. Raising awareness of sarcoidosis and
encouraging funding for research into the disease is one small way we
can honor the heroes and heroines of 9/11.
I thank the gentleman from Illinois for introducing this resolution,
and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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. 1149, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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