[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 98--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF MULTIPLE 
                        SCLEROSIS AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Coons, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Markey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 98

       Whereas multiple sclerosis (referred to in this preamble as 
     ``MS'') can impact people of all ages, races, and 
     ethnicities, but is at least 2 to 3 times more common in 
     women than in men;
       Whereas there are approximately 2,300,000 people worldwide 
     who have been diagnosed with MS;
       Whereas MS is typically diagnosed in individuals between 
     the ages of 20 and 50, however it is estimated that between 
     8,000 and 10,000 children and adolescents are living with MS 
     in the United States;
       Whereas MS is an unpredictable neurological disease that 
     interrupts the flow of information both within the brain and 
     between the brain and the rest of the body;
       Whereas symptoms of MS range from numbness and tingling in 
     the extremities to blindness and paralysis, and the progress, 
     severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person 
     cannot yet be predicted;
       Whereas there is no laboratory test available that can 
     definitively diagnose MS;
       Whereas while MS is not directly inherited, studies show 
     that there are genetic and, probably, environmental factors 
     that make certain individuals, such as Caucasians of Northern 
     European ancestry, more susceptible to the disease than 
     others;
       Whereas the exact cause of MS is still unknown and there is 
     no cure;
       Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national 
     network of independent MS organizations dedicated to the 
     enhancement of the quality of life for all those affected by 
     MS, recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness 
     Week;
       Whereas the mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is 
     to increase opportunities for cooperation among MS 
     organizations and provide greater opportunity for the 
     effective use and development of resources for the benefit of 
     individuals and families affected by MS;
       Whereas the United States plays a critical role in 
     coordinating MS research globally and amplifies the impact of 
     research in the United States through which results are 
     delivered to MS patients;
       Whereas in 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of 
     the United States was a founding member of the Progressive MS 
     Alliance, which coordinates research to accelerate the 
     development of treatments for progressive MS by removing 
     international scientific and technological barriers, and 
     which now includes MS societies from 11 countries;
       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 
     to invite people to join the movement to end MS, encourage 
     everyone to do something to demonstrate their commitment to 
     moving toward a world free of MS, and to acknowledge those 
     who have dedicated their time and talent to help promote MS 
     research and programs; and
       Whereas this year, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is 
     recognized during the week of March 2, 2015, through March 8, 
     2015: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
     Awareness Week;
       (2) encourages States, localities, and the territories and 
     possessions of the United States 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 States, localities, and the 
     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--
       (A) promoting awareness about individuals that are affected 
     by multiple sclerosis; and
       (B) supporting multiple sclerosis research and education 
     programs;
       (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 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.

                          ____________________