[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 242--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``GROWTH 
                            AWARENESS WEEK''

  Mr. KIRK submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 242

       Whereas, according to the Pictures of Standard Syndromes 
     and Undiagnosed Malformations database (commonly known as the 
     ``POSSUM'' database), more than 600 serious diseases and 
     health conditions cause growth failure;
       Whereas health conditions that cause growth failure may 
     affect the overall health of a child;
       Whereas short stature may be a symptom of a serious 
     underlying health condition;
       Whereas growth failure in children is often undiagnosed;
       Whereas, according to the MAGIC Foundation for Children's 
     Growth, 48 percent of children in the United States who were 
     evaluated for the 2 most common causes of growth failure were 
     undiagnosed with growth failure;
       Whereas the longer a child with growth failure goes 
     undiagnosed, the greater the potential for damage and higher 
     costs of care;
       Whereas early detection and a diagnosis of growth failure 
     are crucial to ensure a healthy future for a child with 
     growth failure;
       Whereas raising public awareness of, and educating the 
     public about, growth failure is a vital public service;
       Whereas providing resources for identification of growth 
     failure will allow for early detection; and
       Whereas the MAGIC Foundation for Children's Growth has 
     designated the third week of September as ``Growth Awareness 
     Week'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the third week of September 2013 as ``Growth 
     Awareness Week''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``Growth Awareness 
     Week''.

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