[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 145 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 657--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 13, 2008, AS ``NATIONAL 
                     CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.

                              S. Res. 657

       Whereas celiac disease affects approximately 1 in every 130 
     people in the United States, for a total of 3,000,000 people;
       Whereas the majority of people with celiac disease have yet 
     to be diagnosed;
       Whereas celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder 
     that is classified as both an autoimmune condition and a 
     genetic condition;
       Whereas celiac disease causes damage to the lining of the 
     small intestine, which results in overall malnutrition;
       Whereas, when a person with celiac disease consumes foods 
     that contain certain protein fractions, that person suffers a 
     cell-mediated immune response that damages the villi of the 
     small intestine, interfering with the absorption of nutrients 
     in food and the effectiveness of medications;
       Whereas those problematic protein fractions are found in 
     wheat, barley, rye, and oats, which are used to produce many 
     foods, medications, and vitamins;
       Whereas, because celiac disease is a genetic disease, there 
     is an increased incidence of celiac disease in families with 
     a known history of celiac disease;
       Whereas celiac disease is underdiagnosed because the 
     symptoms can be attributed to other conditions and are easily 
     overlooked by doctors and patients;
       Whereas, as recently as 2000, the average person with 
     celiac disease waited 11 years for a correct diagnosis;
       Whereas \1/2\ of all people with celiac disease do not show 
     symptoms of the disease;
       Whereas celiac disease is diagnosed by tests that measure 
     the blood for abnormally high levels of the antibodies of 
     immunoglobulin A, anti-tissue transglutaminase, and IgA anti-
     endomysium antibodies;
       Whereas celiac disease can be treated only by implementing 
     a diet free of wheat, barley, rye, and oats, often called a 
     ``gluten-free diet'';
       Whereas a delay in the diagnosis of celiac disease can 
     result in damage to the small intestine, which leads to an 
     increased risk of malnutrition, anemia, lymphoma, 
     adenocarcinoma, osteoporosis, miscarriage, congenital 
     malformation, short stature, and disorders of the skin and 
     other organs;
       Whereas celiac disease is linked to many autoimmune 
     disorders, including thyroid disease, systemic lupus 
     erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, liver disease, collagen 
     vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's 
     syndrome;
       Whereas the connection between celiac disease and diet was 
     first established by Dr. Samuel Gee, who wrote, ``if the 
     patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet'';
       Whereas Dr. Samuel Gee was born on September 13, 1839; and
       Whereas, by designating September 13, 2008, as National 
     Celiac Disease Awareness Day, the Senate can raise awareness 
     of celiac disease in the general public and the medical 
     community: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 13, 2008, as ``National Celiac 
     Disease Awareness Day'';
       (2) recognizes that all people in the United States should 
     become more informed and aware of celiac disease;
       (3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
     the date with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
       (4) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Celiac Sprue 
     Association, the American Celiac Society, the Celiac Disease 
     Foundation, the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, 
     and the Oklahoma Celiac Support Group No. 5 of the Celiac 
     Sprue Association.

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