[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 92 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 495--DESIGNATING THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON JUNE 17, 
   2012, AND ENDING ON JUNE 23, 2012, AS ``POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE 
AWARENESS WEEK'', AND RAISING AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF POLYCYSTIC 
       KIDNEY DISEASE AND THE IMPACT SUCH DISEASE HAS ON PATIENTS

  Mr. KOHL (for himself and Mr. Hatch) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 495

       Whereas polycystic kidney disease, known as ``PKD'', is a 
     life-threatening genetic disease, affecting newborns, 
     children, and adults regardless of sex, age, race, geography, 
     income, or ethnicity;
       Whereas there are 2 forms of polycystic kidney disease, 
     autosomal dominant (ADPKD), and autosomal recessive (ARPKD), 
     a rare form frequently leading to early death;
       Whereas polycystic kidney disease causes multiple cysts to 
     form on both kidneys (ranging in size from a pinhead to a 
     grapefruit), leading to an increase in kidney size and 
     weight;
       Whereas polycystic kidney disease is a systemic disease 
     that causes damage to the kidneys and the cardiovascular, 
     endocrine, hepatic, and gastrointestinal systems;
       Whereas patients with polycystic kidney disease often 
     experience no symptoms early in the disease, and many 
     patients do not realize they have polycystic kidney disease 
     until other organs are affected;
       Whereas symptoms of polycystic kidney disease may include 
     high blood pressure, chronic pain in the back, sides or 
     abdomen, blood in the urine, urinary tract infection, heart 
     disease, and kidney stones;
       Whereas polycystic kidney disease is the number 1 genetic 
     cause of kidney failure in the United States;
       Whereas more than half of polycystic kidney disease 
     patients will reach kidney failure and require dialysis or a 
     kidney transplant to survive, thus placing an extra strain on 
     dialysis and kidney transplantation resources;
       Whereas there is no treatment or cure for polycystic kidney 
     disease; and
       Whereas there are thousands of volunteers nationwide 
     dedicated to expanding essential research, fostering public 
     awareness and understanding, educating patients and their 
     families about polycystic kidney disease to improve treatment 
     and care, providing appropriate moral support, and 
     encouraging people to become organ donors: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the period beginning on June 17, 2012, and 
     ending on June 23, 2012, as ``Polycystic Kidney Disease 
     Awareness Week'';
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Polycystic Kidney 
     Disease Awareness Week, to raise public awareness and 
     understanding of polycystic kidney disease;
       (3) recognizes the need for additional research to find 
     treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States and 
     interested groups to support Polycystic Kidney Disease 
     Awareness Week through appropriate ceremonies and activities, 
     to promote public awareness of polycystic kidney disease, and 
     to foster understanding of the impact of such disease on 
     patients and their families.

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