[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 443--DESIGNATING APRIL 2016 AS ``NATIONAL SARCOIDOSIS 
                           AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. SCHUMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 443

       Whereas sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can 
     affect almost any organ of the body, but most commonly 
     affects the lungs;
       Whereas sarcoidosis causes the immune system to overreact, 
     causing damage to tissue in the form of granulomas, which are 
     microscopic clumps of inflammatory cells, and interference 
     with the functioning of an organ when too many granulomas 
     form in that organ;
       Whereas sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder, which means 
     that symptoms vary depending on which organ is affected, and 
     \1/3\ of individuals diagnosed with sarcoidosis will 
     experience damage to multiple organs;
       Whereas the cause of sarcoidosis is unknown;
       Whereas sarcoidosis is classified as a rare disease, but 
     there are an estimated 200,000 individuals in the United 
     States who live with sarcoidosis;
       Whereas sarcoidosis affects all demographics, regardless of 
     age, race, or gender, but is most common among adults between 
     the ages of 20 and 40 and more likely to be severe and 
     chronic in African-Americans;
       Whereas sarcoidosis was the first diagnosis for an 
     overwhelming majority of rescue workers responding to the 
     site of the attacks on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas sarcoidosis patients are often left undertreated or 
     misdiagnosed due to the diverse presentation of sarcoidosis, 
     the lack of knowledge of sarcoidosis among some physicians, 
     and the diagnosis of sarcoidosis through exclusions;
       Whereas the average time it takes to diagnose sarcoidosis 
     is 7 years, and many sarcoidosis patients struggle to find 
     knowledgeable physicians and emotional support resources 
     relating to sarcoidosis;
       Whereas treatment options for sarcoidosis are limited due 
     in part to the lack of informative research and funding 
     specific to sarcoidosis;
       Whereas the Sarcoidosis of Long Island and the Foundation 
     for Sarcoidosis Research--
       (1) actively advocate for more research to better 
     understand how environmental or occupational exposures may 
     increase the risk of sarcoidosis; and
       (2) strive to serve individuals afflicted by sarcoidosis by 
     focusing efforts relating to sarcoidosis on public policy, 
     research, funding, patient services, public awareness, 
     education, and finding a cure; and
       Whereas April 2016 is appropriate to designate as 
     ``National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month'', with worldwide 
     events--
       (1) to increase public awareness of the need to support 
     individuals with sarcoidosis;
       (2) to raise awareness of the environmental and 
     occupational issues associated with sarcoidosis; and
       (3) to educate medical professionals who care for 
     individuals with sarcoidosis: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Sarcoidosis 
     Awareness Month''; and
       (2) designates April 2016 as ``National Sarcoidosis 
     Awareness Month''.

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