[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7083-H7084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING SICKLE CELL DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1663) supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle
Cell Disease Awareness Month.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1663
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder
that is a major health problem in the United States and
worldwide;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction of
sickle cells, which results in multiple medical
complications, including anemia, jaundice, gallstones,
strokes, and restricted blood flow, damaging tissue in the
liver, spleen, and kidneys, and death;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes episodes of considerable
pain in one's arms, legs, chest, and abdomen;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease affects an estimated 70,000 to
100,000 Americans;
Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with Sickle
Cell Disease each year in the United States, with the disease
occurring in approximately 1 in 500 newborn African American
infants, 1 in 1,000 newborn Hispanic Americans, and is found
in persons of Greek, Italian, East Indian, Saudi Arabian,
Asian, Syrian, Turkish, Cypriot, Sicilian, and Caucasian
origin;
Whereas more than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell
trait, and 1 in 12 African Americans carry the trait;
Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to
parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the
disease;
Whereas the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell
Disease is severely limited, with an average life span for an
adult being 45 years;
Whereas, though researchers have yet to identify a cure for
this painful disease, advances in treating the associated
complications have occurred;
Whereas researchers are hopeful that in less than two
decades, Sickle Cell Disease may join the ranks of chronic
illnesses that, when properly treated, do not interfere with
the activity, growth, or mental development of affected
children;
Whereas Congress recognizes the importance of researching,
preventing, and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing
treatment centers to provide medical intervention, education,
and other services and by permitting the Medicaid program to
cover some primary and secondary preventative medical
strategies for children and adults with Sickle Cell Disease;
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
Inc. remains the preeminent advocacy organization that serves
the sickle cell community by focusing its efforts on public
policy, research funding, patient services, public awareness,
and education related to developing effective treatments and
a cure for Sickle Cell Disease; and
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
Inc. has requested that the Congress designate September as
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to educate
communities across the Nation about sickle cell and the need
for research funding, early detection methods, effective
treatments, and prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease
Awareness Month; and
(2) promotes education of teachers, school nurses, and
school personnel in educational strategies such as distance
learning and tutoring that will ensure children with Sickle
Cell Disease can continue to access and pursue their
education.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.
General Leave
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House
Resolution 1663 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
There was no objection.
Ms. HIRONO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1663, which
supports the designation of the month of September as Sickle Cell
Disease Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood
disorder that affects between 70,000 and 100,000 Americans and many
more around the world.
While there is no cure, there have been recent advancements in the
search, giving hope to millions affected by the disease. Researchers
believe that with continued research and funding, sickle cell disease
may become more manageable within the next two decades and no longer
interfere with the activity, growth, or mental development of those
affected. In addition, education and public awareness can play a
critical role in fighting the disease, as early diagnosis can often
help those who suffer from sickle cell disease manage its effects.
I want to thank Representative Fudge for introducing this resolution.
Once again, I express my support for House Resolution 1663, and I urge
my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
Two million Americans have the sickle cell trait, including 1 in 12
African-Americans. Children born to parents with the sickle cell trait
have a 1 in 4 chance of having the disease.
Sickle cell disease is devastating to those who suffer from it. The
rapid destruction of sickle cells can result in anemia, jaundice,
gallstones, strokes, and possible liver, spleen and kidney damage. As a
result, individuals with the disease often experience considerable pain
in their arms, legs, chest, and abdomen as well as shortened life
spans.
Once again I express my support for House Resolution 1663 which
designates the month of September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month. I
urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 1663, supporting the
goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Sickle cell anemia is a serious disease in which the body makes
sickle-shaped red blood cells. Sickle shaped means that the red blood
cells are shaped like the letter ``C.'' Normal red blood cells are disc
shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the center. They move
easily through your blood vessels. Red blood cells contain the protein
hemoglobin. This iron-rich protein gives blood its red color and
carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Sickle cells
contain abnormal hemoglobin that causes the cells to have a sickle
shape. Sickle-shaped cells do not move easily through your blood
vessels. They are stiff and sticky and tend to form clumps and get
stuck in the blood vessels. The clumps of sickle cells block blood flow
in the blood vessels that lead to the limbs and the organs. Blocked
blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections, and organ damage.
This disease affects an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 people in this
country. Approximately 1,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease
each year in the United States. More than 2 million Americans have the
sickle cell trait, and 1 in 12 African Americans carry the trait. There
is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who have the trait will
have the disease. The life expectancy of a person with sickle cell
disease is about 45 years of age. Researchers have yet to find a cure
for this disease. However, there is hope that sickle cell disease, when
properly treated like other chronic diseases, will not interfere with
activity,
[[Page H7084]]
growth, and development of affected children.
Today we recognize the importance of prevention, treatment, research,
and education on sickle cell disease and support the designation of
September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. I urge my colleagues
to support this resolution, and I simply want to close by saying that
this is primarily a disease of African Americans. For years it has been
known that they tend to have, by far, the largest number of sickle
cells in their bodies; and, therefore, there is a real demand, a great
need to find out what the source of this disease is and what can be
done to prevent it because it has a dramatic affect on the African
Americans in our Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this
resolution.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Ms. HIRONO. In closing, I too want to ask my colleagues to support
this important resolution, as it affects so many thousands and
thousands of people, particularly the African American community.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1663.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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