[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 538--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2016 AS ``NATIONAL SPINAL 
                     CORD INJURY AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. Nelson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 538

       Whereas approximately 282,000 individuals in the United 
     States live with a spinal cord injury;
       Whereas spinal cord injuries account for billions of 
     dollars in health care costs and lost wages in the United 
     States;
       Whereas approximately 40,000 spinal cord injury victims are 
     veterans who suffered a spinal cord injury while serving in 
     the Armed Forces of the United States;
       Whereas motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of 
     spinal cord injuries and the third leading cause of traumatic 
     brain injuries;
       Whereas motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 
     50 percent of all spinal cord injuries to children under the 
     age of 18;
       Whereas there is an urgent need to develop new 
     neuroprotection, pharmacological, and regeneration treatments 
     to reduce and prevent future incidences of paralysis and 
     reverse current incidences of paralysis; and
       Whereas increased education and investment in research are 
     key factors in improving outcomes for victims of spinal cord 
     injuries, improving the quality of life of victims of spinal 
     cord injuries, and ultimately curing paralysis: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2016 as ``National Spinal Cord 
     Injury Awareness Month'';
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Spinal Cord 
     Injury Awareness Month;
       (3) continues to support research to find better 
     treatments, therapies, and a cure for spinal cord injuries;
       (4) supports clinical trials for promising new therapies 
     that offer hope to individuals living with paralysis; and
       (5) commends the dedication of national, regional, and 
     local organizations, researchers, doctors, volunteers, and 
     people of the United States that are working to improve the 
     quality of life of individuals living with a spinal cord 
     injury and the families of individuals living with a spinal 
     cord injury.

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