[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 73 (Friday, May 14, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3785-S3786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 528--DESIGNATING MAY 15, 2010, AS ``NATIONAL MPS 
                            AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. 
Specter, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Burr, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Begich, and 
Mr. Kerry) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 528

       Whereas mucopolysaccharidosis (referred to in this 
     resolution as ``MPS'') are a group of genetically determined 
     lysosomal storage diseases that render the human body 
     incapable of producing certain enzymes needed to break down 
     complex carbohydrates;
       Whereas MPS diseases cause complex carbohydrates to be 
     stored in almost every cell in the body and progressively 
     cause cellular damage;
       Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS--
       (1) adversely affects the human body by damaging the heart, 
     respiratory system, bones, internal organs, and central 
     nervous system; and
       (2) often results in mental retardation, short stature, 
     corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, speech and 
     hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, chronic 
     respiratory problems, and, most importantly, a drastically 
     shortened life span;
       Whereas symptoms of MPS are usually not apparent at birth;
       Whereas, without treatment, the life expectancy of an 
     individual afflicted with MPS begins to decrease at a very 
     early stage in the life of the individual;
       Whereas research has resulted in the development of limited 
     treatments for some MPS diseases;
       Whereas promising advancements in the pursuit of treatments 
     for additional MPS diseases are underway as of the date of 
     agreement to this resolution;
       Whereas, despite the creation of new remedies, the blood-
     brain barrier continues to be

[[Page S3786]]

     a significant impediment to effectively treating the brain, 
     which prevents the treatment of many of the symptoms of MPS;
       Whereas treatments for MPS will be greatly enhanced with 
     continued public funding;
       Whereas the quality of life of the individuals afflicted 
     with MPS, and the treatments available to those individuals, 
     will be enhanced through the development of early detection 
     techniques and early intervention;
       Whereas treatments and research advancements for MPS are 
     limited by a lack of awareness about MPS diseases;
       Whereas the lack of awareness about MPS diseases extends to 
     individuals within the medical community;
       Whereas the cellular damage that is caused by MPS makes MPS 
     a model for the study of many other degenerative genetic 
     diseases;
       Whereas the development of effective therapies and a 
     potential cure for MPS diseases can be accomplished by 
     increased awareness, research, data collection, and 
     information distribution; and
       Whereas the Senate is an institution that has the ability--
       (1) to raise public awareness about MPS; and
       (2) to encourage and facilitate increased public and 
     private sector research for the early diagnosis and treatment 
     of MPS diseases: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 15, 2010, as ``National MPS Awareness 
     Day''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National MPS 
     Awareness Day''.

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