[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;

[[Page H2905]]

       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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