[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 92 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to S. Res. 495, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, Senator Hatch and I submitted a resolution 
to increase awareness of Polycystic Kidney Disease, PKD, a life-
threatening genetic illness.
  PKD is the most common genetic illness, and over 600,000 people have 
been diagnosed with PKD nationwide. There is no treatment or cure for 
this devastating disease. Families and friends provide unwavering 
support to their suffering loved ones.
  But there is hope. The PKD Foundation has reported the discovery of 
specific genes involved in the development of PKD, allowing for the 
development of clinical trials.
  While scientists continue researching to find new treatments and 
cures for PKD, others are working to bring awareness. Every year, the 
PKD Foundation holds an annual fundraising walk for PKD. In Wisconsin, 
where over 11,000 patients are living with the disease, residents 
gather across the state to take part in this very special walk.
  To support these efforts, I propose that Congress increase public 
awareness of the disease by designating the week of June 17 to 23 of 
this year as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Week.'' We 
will be taking a positive step toward finding a cure for this disease 
by increasing awareness.
  I trust that my colleagues will see how designating a week to this 
disease will help those afflicted by polycystic kidney disease, and I 
hope for my colleagues' full support of this important resolution.
  Ms. STABENOW. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements be 
printed in the Record as if read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 495) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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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