[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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     SENATE RESOLUTION 408--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL AS 
                    ``PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH''

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Johanns, and 
Ms. Isakson) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 408

       Whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive, and 
     neurological disease and is the second most common 
     neurodegenerative disease in the United States;
       Whereas there is inadequate data on the incidence and 
     prevalence of Parkinson's disease, but the disease affects an 
     estimated 500,000 to 1,500,000 individuals in the United 
     States and the prevalence of such disease is estimated to 
     more than double by 2040;
       Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of 
     death in the United States and the age-adjusted death rate 
     for individuals with Parkinson's disease increased 2.9 
     percent from 2010 to 2011;
       Whereas every day, Parkinson's disease greatly impacts 
     millions of individuals in the United States who are 
     caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals with 
     Parkinson's disease;
       Whereas the economic burden of Parkinson's disease is an 
     estimated $14,400,000,000 each year, including indirect costs 
     to patients and family members of $6,300,000,000 each year;
       Whereas although research suggests that the cause of 
     Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and 
     environmental factors, the exact cause and the exact 
     progression of the disease remain unknown;
       Whereas an objective test or biomarker for diagnosing 
     Parkinson's disease does not exist, and the rate of 
     misdiagnosis for the disease is high;
       Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from 
     person to person and include tremors, slowness of movement, 
     rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and 
     speaking, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood disorders 
     (such as depression and anxiety), constipation, skin 
     complications, and sleep difficulties;
       Whereas a cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt the 
     progression of Parkinson's disease does not exist;
       Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson's 
     disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 
     dose-limiting side effects, and such medications ultimately 
     lose effectiveness, leaving the patient unable to move, 
     speak, or swallow; and
       Whereas developing more effective treatments for 
     Parkinson's disease with fewer side effects and ultimately 
     finding a cure for the disease require increased education 
     and research: 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 develop more effective 
     treatments for Parkinson's disease and to ultimately find a 
     cure for the disease; and
       (4) commends the dedication of State, local, regional, and 
     national organizations, volunteers, researchers, and millions 
     of individuals in the United States working to improve the 
     quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease and 
     the families of such individuals.

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