[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 121, 110th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

121 STAT. 2642
 
NATIONAL IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS WEEK--RECOGNITION AND
SUPPORT [NOTE: Oct. 17, 2007 -  [H.Con.Res.182]

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder causing
progressive, incurable lung scarring;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one of about 200 disorders
called interstitial lung diseases;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common form of
interstitial lung disease;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and generally
fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs, causing
an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability to transport
oxygen;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly, often causing
disability or death within a few short years;

Whereas there is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;

Whereas more than 128,000 United States citizens have idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis, and more than 48,000 new cases are diagnosed
each year representing a 156-percent increase in mortality since
2001;

Whereas idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often misdiagnosed or under
diagnosed;

Whereas the median survival rate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
patients is 2 to 3 years; about two-thirds of idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis patients die within 5 years; and approximately 40,000
patients die each year; and

Whereas a need has been identified to increase awareness and detection
of this misdiagnosed and under diagnosed disorder as well as all
incarnations of pulmonary fibrosis: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress--
(1) recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes,
a treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis;
(2) supports the work of advocates and organizations in
educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals who
suffer from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including efforts to
organize a National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness
Week;
(3) supports the designation of an appropriate week as
National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week;
(4) welcomes the issuance of a proclamation designating a
National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week;
(5) congratulates advocates and organizations for their
efforts to educate the public about idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis, while funding research to help find a cure for this
disorder; and
(6) supports the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week.

Agreed to October 17, 2007.