[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 6058-6059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION 118--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL AS 
                      PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Isakson, and 
Mr. Johanns) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 118

       Whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive, 
     neurological disease and is the second most common 
     neurological disease in the United States;
       Whereas there is inadequate comprehensive data on the 
     incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease, nevertheless 
     it is estimated that the disease affects 500,000 to 1,500,000 
     people in the United States and the prevalence will more than 
     double by 2040;
       Whereas there are millions of Americans who are caregivers, 
     family members, and friends greatly impacted by Parkinson's 
     disease every day;
       Whereas it is estimated that the economic burden of 
     Parkinson's disease is $14,400,000,000, including indirect 
     costs to patients and family members each year;
       Whereas although research suggests the cause of Parkinson's 
     disease is a combination of genetic and environmental 
     factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is 
     still unknown;
       Whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for 
     Parkinson's disease, and the rate of misdiagnosis can be 
     high;
       Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from 
     person to person and include tremors, slowness of movement, 
     difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, 
     rigidity, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood disorders, 
     such as depression and anxiety, constipation, skin problems, 
     and sleep difficulties;
       Whereas there is currently no cure, therapy, or drug to 
     slow or halt the progression of Parkinson's disease;
       Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson's 
     disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 
     dose-limiting side effects, and ultimately lose their 
     effectiveness, leaving the person unable to move, speak or 
     swallow; and
       Whereas increased education and research are needed to find 
     more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, 
     ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson's 
     disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of April as Parkinson's 
     Awareness Month;
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkinson's Awareness 
     Month;
       (3) continues to support research to find better 
     treatments, and eventually, a cure for Parkinson's disease;
       (4) recognizes the people living with Parkinson's who 
     participate in vital clinical trials to advance the knowledge 
     of the disease; and
       (5) commends the dedication of State, local, regional, and 
     national organizations, volunteers, researchers and millions 
     of Americans across the United States working to improve the 
     quality of life of persons living with Parkinson's disease 
     and their families.

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