[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3933-S3934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 255--DESIGNATING MAY 2021 AS ``ALS AWARENESS MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 255

       Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (referred to in this 
     preamble as ``ALS'') is a progressive neurodegenerative 
     disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal 
     cord;
       Whereas the life expectancy for an individual with ALS is 
     between 2 and 5 years after the date on which the individual 
     receives an ALS diagnosis;
       Whereas ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, 
     ethnic, gender, or socioeconomic boundaries;
       Whereas ALS may affect any individual in any location;
       Whereas the cause of ALS is unknown in up to 90 percent of 
     cases;
       Whereas approximately 10 percent of cases have a strong 
     known genetic driver;
       Whereas, on average, the period between the date on which 
     an individual first experiences symptoms of ALS and the date 
     on which the individual is diagnosed with ALS is more than 1 
     year;
       Whereas the onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or 
     stiffness, and the progression of ALS results in the further 
     weakening, wasting, and paralysis of--
       (1) the muscles of the limbs and trunk; and
       (2) the muscles that control vital functions, such as 
     speech, swallowing, and breathing;

[[Page S3934]]

       Whereas ALS can strike individuals of any age, but it 
     predominantly strikes adults;
       Whereas it is estimated that tens of thousands of 
     individuals in the United States have ALS at any given time;
       Whereas, based on studies of the population of the United 
     States, slightly more than 5,600 individuals in the United 
     States are diagnosed with ALS each year, and 15 individuals 
     in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each day;
       Whereas, between 2015 and 2040, the number of ALS cases 
     around the world is expected to increase by nearly 70 
     percent;
       Whereas the majority of individuals with ALS die of 
     respiratory failure;
       Whereas, in the United States, military veterans may be up 
     to twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS than the general 
     public;
       Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, 
     there is no cure for ALS;
       Whereas the spouses, children, and family members of 
     individuals living with ALS provide support to those 
     individuals with love, day-to-day care, and more; and
       Whereas an individual with ALS, and the caregivers of such 
     an individual, can be required to bear significant costs for 
     medical care, equipment, and home care services for the 
     individual as the disease progresses: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 2021 as ``ALS Awareness Month'';
       (2) affirms the dedication of the Senate to--
       (A) ensuring individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 
     (referred to in this resolving clause as ``ALS'') have access 
     to effective treatments as soon as possible;
       (B) identifying risk factors and causes of ALS to prevent 
     new cases;
       (C) empowering individuals with ALS to engage with the 
     world in the way they want;
       (D) reducing the physical, emotional, and financial burdens 
     of living with ALS; and
       (E) ensuring all individuals with ALS and their caregivers 
     receive high quality services and supports that benefit them; 
     and
       (3) commends the dedication of the family members, friends, 
     organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across 
     the United States that are working to improve the quality and 
     length of life of ALS patients and the development of 
     treatments and cures that reach patients as soon as possible.

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