[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 235--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2015 AS ``NATIONAL SPINAL 
                     CORD INJURY AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. Nelson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 235

       Whereas the estimated over 1,275,000 individuals in the 
     United States who live with a spinal cord injury cost society 
     billions of dollars in health care costs and lost wages;
       Whereas an estimated 100,000 of those individuals are 
     veterans who suffered a spinal cord injury while serving as 
     members of the United States Armed Forces;
       Whereas work-related accidents are the leading cause of 
     spinal cord injuries;
       Whereas motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause 
     of spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries;
       Whereas 70 percent of all spinal cord injuries that occur 
     in children under the age of 18 are a result of a motor 
     vehicle accident;
       Whereas every 48 minutes a person will become paralyzed, 
     underscoring the urgent need to develop new neuroprotection, 
     pharmacological, and regeneration treatments to reduce, 
     prevent, and reverse paralysis; and
       Whereas increased education and investment in research are 
     key factors in improving outcomes for victims of spinal cord 
     injuries, improving the quality of life of victims, and 
     ultimately curing paralysis: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2015 as ``National Spinal Cord 
     Injury Awareness Month'';
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Spinal Cord 
     Injury Awareness Month;
       (3) continues to support research to find better treatments 
     and therapies, and a cure for spinal cord injuries;
       (4) supports clinical trials for new therapies that offer 
     promise and hope to individuals living with paralysis; and
       (5) commends the dedication of national, regional, and 
     local organizations, researchers, doctors, volunteers, and 
     people across the United States that are working to improve 
     the quality of life of people living with spinal cord 
     injuries and their families.

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