[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 145--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 2015, AS 
                    ``PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 145

       Whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive 
     neurological disease and is the second most common 
     neurodegenerative disease in the United States;
       Whereas there is inadequate data on the incidence and 
     prevalence of Parkinson's disease, but the disease affects an 
     estimated 500,000 to 1,500,000 individuals in the United 
     States;
       Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of 
     death in the United States;
       Whereas every day Parkinson's disease greatly impacts 
     millions of individuals in the United States who are 
     caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals with 
     Parkinson's disease;
       Whereas the economic burden of Parkinson's disease is an 
     estimated $14,400,000,000 each year, including indirect costs 
     to patients and family members of $6,300,000,000 each year;
       Whereas although research suggests that the cause of 
     Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and 
     environmental factors, the exact cause and exact progression 
     of the disease remain unknown;
       Whereas an objective test or biomarker for diagnosing 
     Parkinson's disease does not exist;
       Whereas a cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of 
     Parkinson's disease does not exist;
       Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from 
     person to person and include tremors, slowness of movement, 
     rigidity, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and 
     speaking, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood disorders, and 
     a variety of other non-motor symptoms;
       Whereas volunteers, researchers, caregivers, and medical 
     professionals are working to improve the quality of life for 
     individuals with Parkinson's disease and the families of 
     those individuals; and
       Whereas developing more effective treatments for 
     Parkinson's disease and providing access to quality care to 
     individuals with Parkinson's disease requires increased 
     research, education, and community support services: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 2015, as ``Parkinson's Awareness 
     Month'';
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``Parkinson's 
     Awareness Month'';
       (3) continues to support research to develop more effective 
     treatments for Parkinson's disease and to ultimately find a 
     cure for the disease;
       (4) recognizes the individuals with Parkinson's disease who 
     participate in vital clinical trials to advance the knowledge 
     of the disease; and
       (5) commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, 
     researchers, and millions of individuals in the United States 
     working to improve the quality of life for individuals with 
     Parkinson's disease and the families of those individuals.

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