[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20097]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 236--RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO PURSUE RESEARCH INTO THE 
  CAUSES, A TREATMENT, AND AN EVENTUAL CURE FOR IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY 
   FIBROSIS, SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL IDIOPATHIC 
       PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS WEEK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. COLEMAN (for himself, Mr. Lugar, and Mr. Bingaman) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 236

       Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung 
     disorder causing progressive, incurable lung scarring;
       Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one of about 200 
     disorders called interstitial lung diseases;
       Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common 
     form of interstitial lung disease;
       Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and 
     generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the 
     lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's 
     ability to transport oxygen;
       Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly, 
     often causing disability or death within a few short years;
       Whereas there is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary 
     fibrosis;
       Whereas approximately 83,000 United States citizens have 
     idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and 31,000 new cases are 
     diagnosed each year;
       Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often misdiagnosed 
     or under diagnosed;
       Whereas the median survival rate for idiopathic pulmonary 
     fibrosis patients is 2 to 3 years, and about two thirds of 
     idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients die within 5 years; 
     and
       Whereas a need has been identified to increase awareness 
     and detection of this misdiagnosed and under diagnosed 
     disorder: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, 
     a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary 
     fibrosis;
       (2) supports the work of the Coalition for Pulmonary 
     Fibrosis and its partner organizations for their great 
     efforts to educate, support, and provide hope for individuals 
     who suffer from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including the 
     work of the Coalition to organize a national ``Idiopathic 
     Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week'';
       (3) supports the designation of an appropriate week as 
     ``Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week'';
       (4) congratulates the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis for 
     its efforts to educate the public about idiopathic pulmonary 
     fibrosis, while funding research to help find a cure for this 
     disorder; and
       (5) supports the goals and ideals of a national 
     ``Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week''.

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my friends Senators 
Lugar and Bingaman, today in submitting the National Idiopathic 
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week Resolution.
  Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disease 
affecting over 80,000 Americans with 31,000 more Americans diagnosed 
each year. IPF scars the lining of the lungs and makes it hard for 
oxygen to be transported to the rest of the body. It negatively affects 
the ability of major organs to function normally and impairs breathing.
  The National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Resolution seeks to 
increase awareness, encourage further research, and support the goals 
of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week.
  Until the day when every American can live a life free of lung 
disease, we must continue to promote awareness, and strengthen our 
investment in research, diagnosis and treatment.
  I urge my fellow colleagues to join me and Senators Lugar and 
Bingaman in raising awareness of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by 
supporting the National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week 
Resolution.

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