[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2035-S2036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 83--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF MULTIPLE 
                        SCLEROSIS AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. 
Blumenthal) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the

[[Page S2036]]

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                               S. Res. 83

       Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 
     ages, races, and ethnicities;
       Whereas approximately 2,100,000 individuals worldwide have 
     been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed between 
     the ages of 20 and 50, yet it is estimated that between 8,000 
     and 10,000 children and adolescents are living with multiple 
     sclerosis;
       Whereas multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable neurological 
     disease that interrupts the flow of information within the 
     brain and between the brain and the rest of the body;
       Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis range from numbness 
     and tingling to blindness and paralysis and the progress, 
     severity, and specific symptoms of multiple sclerosis in any 
     1 individual cannot yet be predicted;
       Whereas there is no laboratory test available that 
     definitely defines a diagnosis for multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas although multiple sclerosis is not directly 
     inherited, studies show that genetic factors can indicate 
     that certain individuals are susceptible to the disease;
       Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still 
     unknown and there is no cure;
       Whereas in rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so progressive 
     that the disease is fatal, but most people with multiple 
     sclerosis have a normal or near-normal life expectancy;
       Whereas severe multiple sclerosis can shorten the life span 
     of an individual;
       Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, an affiliation of 
     multiple sclerosis organizations dedicated to the enhancement 
     of the quality of life for all individuals affected by 
     multiple sclerosis, recognizes and supports Multiple 
     Sclerosis Awareness Week;
       Whereas the mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is 
     to increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater 
     opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for 
     the benefit of the multiple sclerosis community;
       Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and 
     supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during March of 
     every calendar year;
       Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week 
     are--
       (1) to invite individuals to join the movement to end 
     multiple sclerosis;
       (2) to encourage individuals to demonstrate a commitment to 
     moving toward a world free of multiple sclerosis; and
       (3) to acknowledge the individuals who have dedicated time 
     and talent to promote multiple sclerosis research and 
     programs; and
       Whereas this year, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is 
     recognized during the week of March 11, 2013, through March 
     17, 2013: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
     Awareness Week;
       (2) encourages States, territories, possessions of the 
     United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals 
     of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing proclamations 
     designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
       (3) encourages media organizations to participate in 
     Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help provide education 
     to the public about multiple sclerosis;
       (4) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and 
     possessions of the United States to support the goals and 
     ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
       (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
     States to ending multiple sclerosis by promoting--
       (A) awareness about individuals that are affected by 
     multiple sclerosis; and
       (B) education programs, supporting research, and expanding 
     access to medical treatment;
       (6) recognizes all individuals in the United States living 
     with multiple sclerosis;
       (7) expresses gratitude to the family members and friends 
     of individuals living with multiple sclerosis, who are a 
     source of love and encouragement to those individuals; and
       (8) salutes the health care professionals and medical 
     researchers who--
       (A) provide assistance to those individuals affected by 
     multiple sclerosis; and
       (B) continue to work to find ways to stop the progression 
     of the disease, restore nerve function, and end multiple 
     sclerosis forever.

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