[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 105 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING JUNE AS SCLERO-DERMA AWARENESS MONTH

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                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 22, 2018

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as 
Scleroderma Awareness Month.
  Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease generally 
classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Hardening of 
the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The 
disease is also known as ``systemic sclerosis,'' a subset of the 
disease in which internal organ systems (such as kidneys, lungs, heart, 
and gastrointestinal track) and skin, or internal organ systems only, 
are affected. It is estimated that about 300,000 Americans have 
scleroderma with one-third of those having the systemic form of the 
disease.
  Scleroderma varies from patient to patient and often presents with 
symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, making diagnosis and 
treatment extremely complicated. There may be many misdiagnosed or 
undiagnosed cases. Currently, there is no cure for scleroderma.
  On behalf of the scleroderma community, I am proud to be the lead 
sponsor of H.R. 4638, the National Commission on Scleroderma and 
Fibrotic Diseases Act. This bill would establish a National Commission 
on Fibrotic Diseases within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 
evaluate and make recommendations regarding improvements to the 
coordination and advancement of NIH-supported research activities 
related to fibrosis and fibrotic diseases.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
legislation by becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 4638, which will increase 
research and treatments for the fibrotic community.

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