[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23467]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE DESIGNATION OF OCTOBER 12-20, 2004, AS NATIONAL 
                 AWARENESS WEEK FOR THE F.O.P. CAMPAIGN

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                           HON. VITO FOSSELLA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (F.O.P.) Awareness Campaign and 
the declaration of October 12-20, 2004 as National Awareness Week. 
Currently 220 Americans have been diagnosed with this rare and 
incurable disease. F.O.P. is a musculoskeletal disorder that leads to 
the growth and formation of additional bones, ultimately forming a 
``second skeleton'' in the human body. Due to the diligent and 
dedicated efforts of the friends and family of those diagnosed with 
F.O.P., there is a growing campaign to raise awareness about the 
disease and muster support for F.O.P. research. In addition, President 
Bush has declared the years 2002 through 2011 as the National Bone and 
Joint Decade; the kick-off for which is the National Awareness week set 
to begin October 12. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
observance of Bone and Joint Decade National Awareness Week and to 
encourage our fellow citizens to support awareness and research of 
musculoskeletal disorders.

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