[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6347]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 450--DESIGNATING MAY 15, 2012, AS ``NATIONAL MPS 
                            AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Conrad, Mr. 
Burr, and Mr. Inouye) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 450

       Whereas mucopolysaccharidosis (referred to in this 
     resolution as ``MPS'') are a group of genetically determined 
     lysosomal storage diseases that render the human body 
     incapable of producing certain enzymes needed to break down 
     complex carbohydrates;
       Whereas MPS diseases cause complex carbohydrates to be 
     stored in almost every cell in the body and progressively 
     cause cellular damage;
       Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS--
       (1) adversely affects the human body by damaging the heart, 
     respiratory system, bones, internal organs, and central 
     nervous system; and
       (2) often results in intellectual disabilities, short 
     stature, corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, 
     speech and hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, 
     chronic respiratory problems, and, most importantly, a 
     drastically shortened life span;
       Whereas symptoms of MPS are usually not apparent at birth;
       Whereas, without treatment, the life expectancy of an 
     individual afflicted with MPS begins to decrease at a very 
     early stage in the life of the individual;
       Whereas research has resulted in the development of limited 
     treatments for some MPS diseases;
       Whereas promising advancements in the pursuit of treatments 
     for additional MPS diseases are underway as of the date of 
     agreement to this resolution;
       Whereas, despite the creation of new remedies, the blood-
     brain barrier continues to be a significant impediment to 
     effectively treating the brain, which prevents the treatment 
     of many of the symptoms of MPS;
       Whereas the quality of life of the individuals afflicted 
     with MPS, and the treatments available to those individuals, 
     will be enhanced through the development of early detection 
     techniques and early intervention;
       Whereas treatments and research advancements for MPS are 
     limited by a lack of awareness about MPS diseases;
       Whereas the lack of awareness about MPS diseases extends to 
     individuals within the medical community;
       Whereas the cellular damage that is caused by MPS makes MPS 
     a model for the study of many other degenerative genetic 
     diseases; and
       Whereas the development of effective therapies and a 
     potential cure for MPS diseases can be accomplished by 
     increased awareness, research, data collection, and 
     information distribution: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 15, 2012, as ``National MPS Awareness 
     Day''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National MPS 
     Awareness Day''.

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