[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6149]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF 
                   MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Pryor, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Sanders, and Mr. Dorgan) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                             S. Con. Res. 9

       Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 
     ages, races, and ethnicities;
       Whereas more than 400,000 people in the United States live 
     with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people worldwide have been 
     diagnosed with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 
     children and adolescents are living with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 
     with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still 
     unknown;
       Whereas the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are 
     unpredictable and vary from person to person;
       Whereas there is no laboratory test available for multiple 
     sclerosis;
       Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or 
     directly inherited, but studies show that there are genetic 
     factors that indicate that certain individuals are 
     susceptible to the disease;
       Whereas multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune 
     system attack affects the myelin in nerve fibers of the 
     central nervous system, damaging or destroying it and 
     replacing it with scar tissue, thereby interfering with, or 
     preventing the transmission of, nerve signals;
       Whereas in rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so progressive 
     that it is fatal;
       Whereas there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, an affiliation of 
     multiple sclerosis organizations dedicated to the enhancement 
     of the quality of life for all those affected by multiple 
     sclerosis, recognizes and celebrates Multiple Sclerosis 
     Awareness Week;
       Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition's mission is to 
     increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater 
     opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for 
     the benefit of the multiple sclerosis community;
       Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and 
     celebrates Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during 1 week in 
     March every calendar year;
       Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are 
     to invite people to join the movement to end multiple 
     sclerosis, encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate 
     a commitment to moving toward a world free of multiple 
     sclerosis, and to acknowledge those who have dedicated their 
     time and talent to help promote multiple sclerosis research 
     and programs; and
       Whereas in 2009, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is 
     recognized during the week of March 2nd through March 8th: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
     Awareness Week;
       (2) encourages States, territories, and possessions of the 
     United States and local communities to support the goals and 
     ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
       (3) encourages media organizations to participate in 
     Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help educate the public 
     about multiple sclerosis;
       (4) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and 
     possessions of the United States and local communities that 
     support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness 
     Week;
       (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the people 
     of the United States to combating multiple sclerosis by 
     promoting awareness about the causes and risks of multiple 
     sclerosis, and by promoting new education programs, 
     supporting research, and expanding access to medical 
     treatment; and
       (6) recognizes all people in the United States living with 
     multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to their family 
     members and friends who are a source of love and 
     encouragement to them, and salutes the health care 
     professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance 
     to those living with multiple sclerosis and continue to work 
     to find cures and improve treatments.

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