[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 25, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S3428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 235--DESIGNATING MAY 15, 2021, AS ``NATIONAL MPS 
                            AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. BENNET (for himself and Mr. Graham) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
       Whereas mucopolysaccharidosis (referred to in this preamble 
     as ``MPS'') are a group of genetically determined lysosomal 
     storage diseases that render the human body incapable of 
     producing certain enzymes needed to break down complex 
     carbohydrates;
       Whereas MPS diseases cause complex carbohydrates to be 
     stored in almost every cell in the body, which progressively 
     leads to cellular damage;
       Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS--
       (1) adversely affects the human body by damaging the heart, 
     lungs, bones, central nervous system, and other internal 
     organs; and
       (2) often results in intellectual disabilities, short 
     stature, corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, 
     speech and hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, 
     chronic respiratory problems, and, most painfully, a 
     drastically shortened life span;

       Whereas symptoms of MPS are usually not apparent at birth;
       Whereas, without treatment, the life expectancy of an 
     individual afflicted with MPS begins to decrease at a very 
     early stage in the life of that individual;
       Whereas research has resulted in the development of limited 
     treatments for some MPS diseases;
       Whereas, as of the date of adoption of this resolution, 
     promising advancements in the pursuit of treatments for 
     additional MPS diseases are underway;
       Whereas, despite the creation of new remedies, the blood-
     brain barrier continues to be a significant impediment to 
     effectively treating the brain, which prevents the treatment 
     of many of the symptoms of MPS;
       Whereas the quality of life of individuals afflicted with 
     MPS and the treatments available to those individuals will be 
     enhanced through the development of early detection and early 
     intervention techniques;
       Whereas treatments for and research advancements relating 
     to MPS are limited by a lack of awareness about MPS diseases;
       Whereas the lack of awareness about MPS diseases extends to 
     individuals within the medical community;
       Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS makes MPS a model 
     for the study of many other degenerative genetic diseases; 
     and
       Whereas the development of effective therapies and a 
     potential cure for MPS diseases can be accomplished by 
     increased awareness, research, data collection, and 
     information distribution: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 15, 2021, as ``National MPS Awareness 
     Day''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National MPS Awareness 
     Day.

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