[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 181--DESIGNATING MAY 19, 2015, AS ``NATIONAL 
                     SCHIZENCEPHALY AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. HOEVEN (for himself and Ms. Heitkamp) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 181

       Whereas schizencephaly is an extremely rare developmental 
     birth defect characterized by abnormal slits, or clefts, in 
     the brain;
       Whereas individuals with bilateral schizencephaly, the more 
     severe case, commonly have developmental delays, delays in 
     speech and language skills, problems with brain-spinal cord 
     communication, limited mobility, and shorter lifespans;
       Whereas schizencephaly is the second rarest brain 
     malformation, and only approximately 7,000 cases have ever 
     been reported;
       Whereas promoting education and increasing awareness among 
     health professionals and families will lead to early 
     intervention and treatment options for individuals with 
     schizencephaly; and
       Whereas continued Federal support for medical research will 
     help identify causes, improve diagnostics, and develop 
     promising treatments for schizencephaly: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates May 19, 2015, as 
     ``National Schizencephaly Awareness Day''.

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