[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7185]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 476--DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MAY 2016 AS ``CYSTIC 
                       FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 476

       Whereas cystic fibrosis (in this preamble referred to as 
     ``CF'') is a genetic disease affecting more than 30,000 
     children and adults in the United States and more than 70,000 
     children and adults worldwide;
       Whereas, in patients with CF, a defective gene causes the 
     body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs 
     the lungs, produces life-threatening lung infections, and 
     obstructs the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from 
     reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food;
       Whereas there are approximately 1,000 new cases of CF 
     diagnosed each year;
       Whereas infant blood screening to detect genetic defects is 
     the most reliable and least costly method to identify 
     individuals likely to have 1 of 1,800 different CF mutations;
       Whereas early diagnosis of CF permits early treatment and 
     enhances quality of life, longevity, and the treatment of CF;
       Whereas CF impacts the families of patients because of the 
     intense daily disease management protocols that patients must 
     endure;
       Whereas, in the United States, there are more than 120 CF 
     care centers and 55 affiliate programs with highly trained 
     and dedicated providers that specialize in delivering high-
     quality, coordinated care for CF patients and their families;
       Whereas the number of adults with CF has steadily grown and 
     the median age of survival for a person with CF is now nearly 
     40 years of age; and
       Whereas innovative precision medicines and treatments have 
     greatly improved and extended the lives of patients: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of May 2016 as ``Cystic Fibrosis 
     Awareness Month'';
       (2) congratulates the community of individuals who care for 
     patients with cystic fibrosis for their unrelenting 
     dedication to those patients;
       (3) recognizes that the care delivery system for cystic 
     fibrosis can be a model for building better care coordination 
     in the larger healthcare system;
       (4) acknowledges the tremendous investments and scientific 
     achievements that have significantly improved the lives of 
     individuals with cystic fibrosis; and
       (5) urges researchers, developers, patients, and providers 
     to work together closely to find a cure for this deadly 
     disease.

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