[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2213-S2214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 134, introduced earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 134) supporting the designation of 
     April as Parkinson's Awareness Month.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, Dr. James Parkinson first identified 
the symptoms of this debilitating disease in 1817, and now an estimated 
1.5 million Americans are currently living with Parkinson's. Despite 
major advances in modern technology and the establishment of the 
Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda more than 10 years ago, we 
regrettably still do not know the cause, and we are still looking for a 
cure.
  Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder with major 
symptoms such as tremors, trouble walking, and speech difficulties. The 
number of people being diagnosed with Parkinson's continues to rise. 
The newest treatments are coming from cutting edge medical innovations, 
like deep brain stimulation. However, we can and must do more to keep 
pushing the boundaries to find better therapies and hopefully, very 
soon, a cure. This requires a continued national commitment to 
biomedical research.
  The National Institutes of Health is the largest contributor to 
Parkinson's research, along with the Department of Veteran Affairs and 
the Department of Defense. Texas has committed to leading the way in 
Parkinson's disease research and has received more than $2.7 million in 
Federal funds. These dollars are being put to use at some of our top 
university and medical research facilities across the State, including: 
the University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Tech 
University Health Science Center, and the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical 
Center in San Antonio.
  Today, I am proud to recognize April as Parkinson's Awareness Month, 
and I hope that this will not only raise awareness of this devastating 
disease, but will also renew focus and vigor to the fight to treat and 
ultimately eliminate Parkinson's disease.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table 
with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 134) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 134

       Whereas Parkinson's disease is the second most common 
     neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only 
     to Alzheimer's disease;
       Whereas even though there is inadequate comprehensive data 
     on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease, as of 
     2011, it is estimated that the disease affects over 1,000,000 
     people in the United States;
       Whereas although research suggests the cause of Parkinson's 
     disease is a combination of genetic and environmental 
     factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is 
     still unknown;
       Whereas there is no objective test for Parkinson's disease, 
     and the rate of misdiagnosis can be high;
       Whereas symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to 
     person and include tremors, slowness, difficulty with 
     balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, rigidity, 
     cognitive problems, dementia, mood disorders, such as 
     depression and anxiety, constipation, skin problems, and 
     sleep disruptions;
       Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson's 
     disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 
     dose-limiting side effects;
       Whereas ultimately the medications and treatments lose 
     their effectiveness, generally after 4 to 8 years, leaving 
     the person unable to move, speak, or swallow;
       Whereas there is no cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt 
     the progression of Parkinson's disease; and
       Whereas increased education and research are needed to help 
     find more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, 
     ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson's 
     disease;
       Now, therefore, be it
         Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of April as Parkinson's 
     Awareness Month;
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkinson's Awareness 
     Month;
       (3) continues to support research to find better 
     treatments, and eventually, a cure for Parkinson's disease;
       (4) recognizes the people living with Parkinson's who 
     participate in vital clinical trials to advance knowledge of 
     this disease; and

[[Page S2214]]

       (5) commends the dedication of local and regional 
     organizations, volunteers, and millions of Americans across 
     the country working to improve the quality of life of persons 
     living with Parkinson's disease and their families.

                          ____________________