[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2859]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK

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                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2013

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of 
Americans affected by sleep disorders and insufficient sleep in 
observance of National Sleep Awareness Week, March 3rd-10th. National 
Sleep Awareness Week is a week-long campaign to celebrate and bring 
awareness to the health benefits of sleep.
  I am proud to represent the nation's foremost organization on sleep 
research, the Sleep Research Society (SRS), which is based in Darien, 
Illinois. The Sleep Research Society, established in 1961, is composed 
of scientists whose research contributions extend to all areas of 
sleep. The SRS promotes continued research and plays an important role 
in the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research within the National 
Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
  Sleep disorders affect every age group, from infants to the elderly, 
and are often an indicator of, or a precursor to, other major diseases 
and disorders. 50-70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep 
disorders, while 5% of the population suffers from sleep apnea. Sleep 
apnea results in excessive daytime fatigue, increased frequency of road 
traffic accidents, and arterial hypertension. Prior to diagnosis, 
patients with sleep apnea also tend to incur higher costs in their 
overall health care.
  I urge my colleagues to reflect on the work that needs to be done to 
ensure that Americans with sleep disorders or suffering from 
insufficient sleep can expect to see sustained and meaningful 
improvements in their health and healthcare. I urge my colleagues to 
stand with me and recognize National Sleep Awareness Week.

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