[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 19068-19069]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORTING NATIONAL ESSENTIAL TREMOR AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1264) expressing support for the designation of 
March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1264

       Whereas essential tremor is the most common movement 
     disorder, affecting up to 10

[[Page 19069]]

     million Americans, including 4 to 5 percent of people aged 40 
     to 60, and 6 to 9 percent of people aged 60 and older;
       Whereas essential tremor is often misdiagnosed as 
     Parkinson's disease, dystonia and other neurological movement 
     disorders, most people with essential tremor are not 
     diagnosed until after several visits to many physicians;
       Whereas essential tremor is not a normal outcome of aging, 
     as believed by many people including some physicians, but is 
     an abnormal condition, primarily genetic, afflicting people 
     of all ages, including newborns;
       Whereas there are no medications that have been developed 
     for people with essential tremor, the medications currently 
     being used were developed for other conditions and only help 
     60 percent of the people affected, and the only treatment 
     specifically designed for essential tremor is brain surgery;
       Whereas essential tremor interferes with a person's ability 
     to perform activities of daily living such as grooming and 
     writing, and in approximately 5 percent of cases, is totally 
     disabling;
       Whereas research shows that people with essential tremor 
     have a higher incidence of depression than the general 
     population and that a significant number of these people 
     isolate themselves in their homes;
       Whereas essential tremor is a chronic condition that 
     undermines the American economy through lost wages and work 
     hours and high medical costs in getting an accurate 
     diagnosis;
       Whereas overcoming the medical, social, and economic issues 
     listed in this resolution depends upon research and research 
     funding is dependent upon awareness; and
       Whereas March would be an appropriate month to designate as 
     ``National Essential Tremor Awareness Month'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the designation of ``National Essential Tremor 
     Awareness Month'' for the purpose of raising awareness about 
     the Nation's number one neurological condition, affecting 
     approximately 10,000,000 Americans; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to support 
     the observance of National Essential Tremor Awareness Month 
     by participating in the educational activities of the 
     International Essential Tremor Foundation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to the chief 
sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore).
  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. I thank the gentleman.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1264, a 
resolution supporting the designation of March as Essential Tremor 
Awareness Month.
  As you may know, essential tremor, also known as ET, is a progressive 
neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, 
head, voice, legs, or trunk. It is often confused with Parkinson's 
disease and dystonia. ET is estimated to affect up to 10 million 
Americans, including up to 5 percent of people aged 40 to 60, and up to 
9 percent of people aged 60 and older.
  ET can interfere with a person's ability to perform activities of 
daily living such as grooming and writing, and in approximately 5 
percent of cases is totally disabling. Additionally, research has shown 
that people with ET have a higher incidence of depression than the 
general population and that a significant number of these people 
isolate themselves in their homes.
  Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET 
never seek medical care, though most would benefit from treatment. 
While no medications have been developed for people with ET, 
specifically, the medications currently being used for other conditions 
may help up to 60 percent of people with ET.
  While this number is encouraging, clearly more research is needed to 
develop treatments from chairman all people with ET can benefit. 
Organizations such as the International Essential Tremor Foundation 
headquartered in my district in Lenexa, Kansas, are leading the way to 
promote research in an effort to determine the causes, treatment and 
ultimately the cure for ET, as well as provide information, services 
and support to individuals and families affected by ET.

                              {time}  1450

  To bolster these efforts and to create more awareness about tremors 
as well as the need for greater ET research, please join me in 
supporting our resolution supporting the designation of March as 
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today to support House Resolution 1264, which expresses 
support for the designation of March as National Tremor Association 
Awareness Month. ET is certainly the most common movement disorder, 
afflicting nearly 10 million Americans. And, of course, for those who 
have this disease, everyday life can present some frustrating 
challenges.
  Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness and stereotypes, many 
suffering from essential tremor do not seek medical care. 
Unfortunately, there are no medications that have been developed for 
people with these tremors; so I thank the gentleman from Kansas for 
bringing this important issue before us today to raise awareness about 
ET.
  I would also like to thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) for 
his hard work and years of service--12 years, I think it is, since we 
came in at the same time--of service in this body and for his work as 
chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and 
Investigations, which I have the honor of serving with him as the 
ranking member. So I really appreciate everything he's done in this 
body, and I wish him well. We will miss him.
  With that, Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in support of 
this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I too, like my colleague from Illinois, want 
to thank my friend and neighbor from Kansas (Mr. Moore) for introducing 
this important piece of legislation, but more than that, for his level 
of service here in this institution and someone that I can truly look 
to and call a friend.
  It has been a wonderful 10 years for us, and thank you for your 
service to your State and your country, Mr. Moore.
  And with that, Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting this measure which supports the designation of March as 
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1264.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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