[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 5981-5984]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS WEEK

  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1116) supporting the goals and ideals of 
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1116

       Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 
     ages, races, and ethnicities;
       Whereas more than 400,000 Americans live with multiple 
     sclerosis;
       Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people worldwide have been 
     diagnosed with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 
     with multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 
     children and adolescents are living 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 that 
     definitely defines a diagnosis for multiple sclerosis;
       Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or 
     directly inherited, but studies show there are genetic 
     factors that indicate 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 
     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 
     their 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 this year Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is 
     recognized during the week of March 8, 2010, through March 
     14, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
     Awareness Week;
       (2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation in 
     support of the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
     Awareness Week;
       (3) encourages States, territories, possessions of the 
     United States, and localities to support the goals and ideals 
     of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing proclamations 
     designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
       (4) encourages media organizations to participate in 
     Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help educate the public 
     about multiple sclerosis;
       (5) commends the efforts of the States, territories, and 
     possessions of the United States who support the goals and 
     ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;
       (6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation's commitment to 
     combating multiple sclerosis

[[Page 5982]]

     by promoting awareness about its causes and risks and by 
     promoting new education programs, supporting research, and 
     expanding access to medical treatment; and
       (7) 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 so afflicted and continue to work to find cures and 
     improve treatments.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. McCollum). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) and the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Burgess) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material for the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 
1116, recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple 
Sclerosis Awareness Week, which actually took place the week of March 
8.
  Now, while Multiple Sclerosis Week occurred last month, it is never 
the wrong time to draw attention to this important health issue and to 
reaffirm our commitment to combating MS.
  Multiple sclerosis affects an estimated 400,000 people in the United 
States and 2\1/2\ million people worldwide. MS is thought to be an 
autoimmune disorder where the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy 
nerve fibers of the central nervous system. Symptoms that people with 
MS experience include blurred vision and blindness, tremors, extreme 
fatigue and paralysis. However, the exact causes of MS are unknown, and 
there is no known cure for this disease.
  But what we all know is that it can affect men and women of all ages, 
and it does affect each person differently.
  Many of us have our own personal stories of loved ones who've been 
diagnosed with MS. We will hear some of those stories today.
  I've gotten to know some wonderful constituent advocates from my 
district to learn of their personal stories over the years through the 
MS Society chapter which I represent in my district, and I know that 
many of my colleagues have benefited from interactions with their local 
chapters and the members who have shared their stories with them.
  So I want to commend my colleague, Representative Lee, for 
introducing this resolution. I also recognize Representative Carnahan 
and Representative Burgess for their leadership on the Congressional 
Multiple Sclerosis Caucus.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I thank the gentlelady from California (Mrs. Capps) for 
her recognition.
  As cochairman of the Congressional MS Caucus, I rise today in support 
of House Resolution 1116, supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple 
Sclerosis Awareness Week from March 8 through March 14. The goal of 
this annual event is to raise awareness of this disease for individuals 
and their families who are impacted by this illness.
  Every hour in the United States, someone new is diagnosed with 
multiple sclerosis. It is a chronic, often disabling disease that 
attacks the central nervous system. Over 400,000 Americans are living 
with MS, and approximately 2\1/2\ million people are affected 
worldwide.
  These patients suffer a variety of symptoms which can vary from 
person to person and, indeed, may vary within a particular patient 
during the course of the disease. Among the symptoms are impaired 
vision, muscle weakness, problems with coordination and balance, 
numbness, memory problems and, in the most severe cases, which, 
fortunately, is rare, the disease is fatal.
  Even the milder cases of multiple sclerosis create daily changes for 
patients by impairing speech, the ability to write, the ability to 
walk. Despite the debilitating effects, the cause of multiple sclerosis 
is unknown. There is yet no laboratory test that is available that 
definitively establishes the diagnosis and, of course, there is no 
cure.
  Treatments, however, have improved markedly over the last 20 to 30 
years, and that is the reason we should applaud the work of the 
Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, an affiliation of MS organizations 
dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for those affected 
by this disease, which recognizes and celebrates this special week that 
we designate as Multiple Sclerosis Week.
  Many Americans know a person living with MS, a mother, father, son or 
daughter or another family member, or even a colleague. During my brief 
time in Congress a member of my staff has been diagnosed.
  I also want to recognize those who struggle with multiple sclerosis 
every day, the family and friends who support them, the doctors, 
nurses, researchers and others that care for them and continue to 
search for a cure.
  I'd also like to thank Representative Russ Carnahan of Missouri, 
who's the co-chair of the MS Caucus, and Representative Barbara Lee of 
California who are sponsoring this resolution with me.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of the resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may 
consume to the Representative from California, Representative Lee, who 
is the author of this resolution.
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me thank, first of all, my 
colleague, the gentlelady from California (Mrs. Capps), for yielding me 
the time. Also, let me just thank you for using your invaluable 
background as a nurse in helping shape quality health care for all in 
our country. So to Congresswoman Capps, thank you very much for your 
leadership.
  Also, let me thank Congressman Russ Carnahan and Congressman Michael 
Burgess, the co-chairs of the Multiple Sclerosis Caucus and their 
staff, including my staff, Christos Tsenta, for helping to work on this 
resolution in a bipartisan manner and for keeping the Congress focused 
on MS issues, which was recognized during MS Awareness Week, March 8 
through March 14.
  Let me also thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Barton and their 
staff for agreeing to bring the resolution to the floor, along with our 
nearly 110 cosponsors. And to Congresswoman Kilroy, the gentlelady from 
Ohio, I just want to say to her that her determination and her strength 
is such an inspiration to all of us here in the House of 
Representatives.
  Let me thank the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, the National Ms 
Society and all its staff, especially Shawn O'Neail and Shawna Golden, 
for leading the charge on MS Awareness Week and for their work on this 
resolution and for helping to support activities around the country in 
recognition of this week.
  And this resolution is in honor of all of those living with MS and 
all of the friends and family and loved ones who care for them and 
support them.
  Lastly, I just want to thank my beloved sister, Mildred, for teaching 
me what it's like to live with multiple sclerosis. Mildred was 
diagnosed with MS at about the age of 26 or 27. She has been living a 
productive and fruitful life. She has learned about the treatments and 
medications; and, fortunately, she has had access to some of the best. 
But she wants everybody to have access to the types of treatment that 
she has had.
  I asked her this morning what she'd like for me to say and she said, 
increase funding for research so we can find a cure.
  She said to me, You know, it's so frustrating to go to the doctor, 
and for me to ask the doctor a question about the symptoms of my 
disease and the

[[Page 5983]]

doctor says, I just don't know. She said at first she thought the 
doctors were just putting her off; but, actually, the doctors just 
don't know.
  So this bill is for all of the times that she told me she gets up in 
the morning and wonders whether she'll be able to walk that day. This 
is for all of the times that she is in remission, dreading the next 
flare-up, wondering what is going to trigger the return of her 
symptoms.
  So I'm pleased to be here today to talk about a disease that my 
family and hundreds of thousands of families around the Nation have 
faced. In fact, our first lady, Michelle Obama, her dad, Mr. Frasier 
Robinson, had multiple sclerosis, and so our first family clearly 
understands the need for increased awareness and outreach and resources 
to fight this disease.
  Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central 
nervous system. It's thought to be an autoimmune disorder where the 
immune system incorrectly attacks healthy nerve fibers of the central 
nervous system, interfering with transmission of nerve signals 
throughout the body.
  There are over 400,000 people throughout the United States suffering 
from multiple sclerosis; and worldwide over 2.5 million cases have been 
diagnosed. But the real numbers of people living with MS are almost 
certainly higher.
  Although MS is largely considered a disease that affects Caucasian 
populations, it does occur among African Americans and other minority 
groups and can be quite severe. Because people of color tend to have 
had less access to the health care system, which I'm confident now that 
our health care law will finally address, they may not get diagnosed at 
the rates that they should.
  As has been said, Madam Speaker, MS Awareness Week was recognized 
this year from March 8 through March 14. The theme of this year was 
``Move It!'' and it was intended to encourage people throughout the 
country to volunteer, raise funding, advocate, educate, and raise 
awareness about this disease.
  This is the fifth year of MS Awareness Week, and over the past 5 
years, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has received $30 million 
in donated corporate support, advertising space and public relations, 
and generated more than 120 billion media impressions.

                              {time}  1215

  In March alone, the MS Society recently received over 650,000 hits on 
their Web site from people who got active in the fight against MS. So 
the drumbeat is being heard loudly and clearly.
  People living with MS were at the Today Show and Good Morning America 
and featured on 12 digital billboards which ran more than 700 times 
throughout the entire month of March in Times Square. The MS Coalition, 
the National MS Society, and the Congressional MS Caucus were also 
actively engaged in discussions about access to quality health care, 
increased MS research, disability rights, and MS issues and sought more 
funding for MS research.
  This month, the Northern California Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis 
Society is also in the middle of holding its MS walk fundraisers. Our 
own MS walk in my district in Alameda County is actually scheduled for 
this Saturday. I'm also proud to say that a former person in my office, 
Alicia Barron, has been on the front lines of raising awareness about 
this disease through her work with the Lone Star Chapter of the MS 
Society in Houston, Texas. We appreciate her work and service.
  While MS Awareness Week has passed, there is still a lot we must do. 
On May 26, MS societies throughout the world will band together on 
World Ms Day to increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the 
disease and the needs of people with MS and how to improve their 
quality of life.
  As I've always said, our health is tied to the health of our brothers 
and sisters throughout the world, and we have to view anyone's 
problems, their problems, as our own problems; otherwise, we will never 
be truly rid of this disease. As Members of Congress, we have the 
ability and the responsibility to ensure that additional research 
funding is put towards diseases like multiple sclerosis. We need to 
invest more time and more efforts into finding the causes of MS to 
prevent it, to improve existing therapies for those who suffer with it, 
and I hope one day, as my sister said, just find a cure.
  I'm pleased that the fiscal year 2010 Defense appropriations bill 
included $4.5 million to fund research into multiple sclerosis among 
our veterans. I look forward to making sure that we provide even more 
next year.
  So, once again, I want to thank my colleagues for their support of 
the resolution. And in honor of all of those living with MS, I want to 
say we are committed to putting more money into research and to finding 
a cure. As my sister Mildred said, that is all we need to do.
  Mr. BURGESS. I reserve my time.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to yield to our colleague from 
Missouri, Representative Carnahan, who is the cochair of the Multiple 
Sclerosis Caucus, such time as he may consume.
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from 
California for her leadership and work on this important legislation, 
supporting the MS Awareness Week.
  Every week, around 200 people are diagnosed in this country with MS; 
and, indeed, there's been a spike in diagnoses among our military. That 
is one of the reasons the past several years we have been able to fight 
for and obtain funding through the Department of Defense 
congressionally directed research program.
  We also have worked with addressing the issue in terms of creating 
the national registry, so we can help track this difficult disease that 
has eluded a cure for so long.
  I am proud to serve as cochair of the Congressional MS Caucus along 
with my colleague here today, Michael Burgess. He has been a good 
partner in promoting this. The MS Caucus is a bipartisan group of a 127 
Members of this House actively engaged in discussions about access to 
quality health care, raising awareness, promoting education, and 
increasing MS research. I want to urge my colleagues here today to not 
just support this resolution, but if you're not already a member of the 
MS Caucus, I urge you to join us. I urge you to connect with your local 
chapters to help support the people that are living and suffering with 
MS, but also to help find that cure, to move research forward.
  This year marks the fifth annual MS Awareness Week. The week was 
created by the MS Coalition and the National MS Society to raise 
national awareness about MS. I especially want to thank St. Louis' 
Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society for their unwavering 
dedication, for their help for people back in my home city, and for 
their support of my work here in the Congress. I'm grateful for their 
hard work to provide support and assistance for those living with and 
affected by MS.
  This spring, in fact, more than 8,000 Missourians took part in the 
Walk MS event across the State, raising awareness and funds to help 
those living with MS every day, for the challenges they face from this 
disease.
  Today, I want to again urge my colleagues to support this resolution 
to help create a world free of MS.
  Mr. BURGESS. I will yield myself my remaining time.
  I want to thank Representative Carnahan for the recognition and echo 
his call to other Members of this Congress to join the MS Caucus. This 
caucus does real work. We provide information. We provide conference 
calls. We provide educational time with either Members or staff, and it 
is a worthwhile endeavor.
  While there is no cure for multiple sclerosis as it stands today, the 
treatment has evolved significantly. In my 25 years of medical 
practice, I saw a significant evolution. Although I was not the primary 
caregiver for multiple sclerosis patients in my general OB-GYN 
practice, I did have many patients who did suffer from that illness 
and, as a consequence, over the course of my

[[Page 5984]]

professional lifetime, did see the treatment evolve from one that was 
essentially palliative to one that was more targeted towards the 
disease itself or targeted towards the damages the disease inflicts 
upon the central nervous system.
  So I do encourage both sides of the aisle to join this caucus. It is 
an important endeavor.
  Again, I want to thank everyone who has participated today. We've 
heard today that multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling 
disease, but today, new treatments and advances in research are 
starting to give new hope to people affected by the disease, but more 
must be done to understand the course of this illness.
  Most people with MS learn to cope. They learn to cope with the 
disease and to lead satisfactory, productive lives, but they do want 
answers. We recently capped off MS Week 2010 on March 8-14, and now 
prepare for World MS Day on May 26.
  Texas, my home State, is getting into the act with the BP MS 150, 
which is a 180-mile journey from Houston to Austin. This event is a 2-
day fundraising cycling ride organized by the Lone Star Chapter of the 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. That is the largest event of its 
kind in north Texas. This year's ride just took place this past 
weekend. In 2009, this event raised more than $17 million for research 
for MS, and the fundraising goal for this year is $18 million, with 
contributions still being tallied. But the Lone Star Chapter of the 
National MS Society is on its way to reaching this ambitious goal. And 
this was the 5th year of MS Awareness Week.
  The Multiple Sclerosis Caucus is a bipartisan group of 127 
Representatives and 23 Senators who are in full support of this 
resolution. But we can do more. In fact, we will be looking to have an 
MS briefing for Members and their staff sometime in June, and I hope 
many Members will be able to attend.
  And, in addition, I urge everyone who supports this resolution to 
cosponsor H.R. 1362, to create a National MS Registry. This bill has 
over 150 cosponsors, and I urge my colleagues on the Energy and 
Commerce Committee to take up this resolution because it is an 
important amount of work that needs to be done. And with all of the 
focus nowadays on genomic medicine, this registry is going to become 
increasingly important.
  I yield back the remainder of my time.
  Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1116, 
which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
Awareness Week. I want to thank my friend and colleague Representative 
Barbara Lee for introducing this resolution, which brings attention to 
a disease that affects an estimated 400,000 people living in the United 
States.
  Because I was diagnosed with MS in 2003, I know the importance of 
research into treatments and a cure for the disease. I support 
additional funding for research regarding MS, Parkinson's disease, and 
other neurological disorders. MS is a serious disease, but I am lucky 
to have insurance that pays for most of the cost of the expensive drugs 
that slow its progression and help prevent disability. However, many 
people diagnosed with MS often find their necessary medications 
financially out of reach. The 111th Congress has taken historic action 
to make health care affordable and accessible, to end discrimination 
against those with pre-existing conditions, and to help people control 
and live well with chronic illness--keeping them out of wheelchairs or 
nursing homes. However, we must continue to work on behalf of our 
constituents who every day are dealing with serious health conditions.
  I am pleased that included in the health insurance reform law 
recently signed by the president is the Community Living Assistance 
Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. The CLASS Act will create an 
insurance program for the 10 million adults with disabilities in 
America to help them obtain the services and supports they need to stay 
functional, independent, and active in their community. It is a 
disgrace that millions of Americans with disabilities are forced to 
live a life of poverty just so they can qualify for long-term benefits 
offered by Medicaid. The CLASS Act will allow people with disabilities 
to remain functional and independent while giving them an opportunity 
to receive an education, maintain a job, or join a community group.
  I also want to acknowledge the work of the National MS Society, which 
works tirelessly on behalf of persons living with MS. Just this past 
weekend I participated in the Columbus MS Walk with my many friends in 
the Ohio Buckeye Chapter. This walk was just one of many across the 
country to raise money for research into MS.
  Madam Speaker, I look forward to the day when the world is free of 
MS. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in finding the causes, 
improving the treatments while lowering their costs, and fighting for a 
cure for MS and other diseases, so that all Americans can live fully 
active and healthy lives.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, as we conclude this discussion on the 
importance of being aware of multiple sclerosis and adoption of this 
resolution, I will call attention to my colleagues all of our local 
chapters throughout the country.
  Our colleagues have highlighted some of the chapters they represent, 
and I know I've had wonderful interactions with the Members and people 
who support our local chapter in my district as they seek to raise 
awareness within our local communities and also work together to raise 
funds through their walks and through their fundraising drives to 
provide quality of life and support for their members, those who are 
afflicted with multiple sclerosis and their families, and it is an 
honor to serve with them and work with them and represent them here as 
they would have us do.
  And what they would want us to underscore, as well, is the importance 
of our funding adequately the national endowments for the health, the 
efforts for continuing research, for accentuating the research in all 
neurological disorders, those that affect a whole host of ranges that 
impact people's lives; and among them, so important, are those who are 
afflicted with multiple sclerosis. That is surely what we can do on 
their behalf as we look forward to possibilities, as new discoveries 
are made, and much more research can be done in this arena.
  So our resolution can bring all of that to fruition. I encourage all 
of our colleagues to honor and vote for House Resolution 1116, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
  I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1116.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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