IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 405

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that observing a Movement Disorders Awareness Month would promote awareness, diagnosis, 

and advocacy concerning the issue. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 28, 2005

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

observing a Movement Disorders Awareness Month would 

promote awareness, diagnosis, and advocacy concerning 

the issue.

Whereas movement disorders are chronic and often debilitating conditions that are caused by damage to, or malfunction in, specific regions of the brain and nervous system that are responsible for voluntary and involuntary 

movements, the cause of which is mostly unknown; 

Whereas there are more than 30 neurological conditions that 

may be classified as movement disorders, and these include restless legs syndrome, dystonia, spasticity, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, ataxia, progressive 
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•HRES 405 IH 

supranuclear palsy, Rett syndrome, tics, Tourette’s syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and others; 

Whereas symptoms of movement disorders include slow or irregular movement; tremor-like movement; changes in coordination, voice or vision, movement patterns, posture or 

position, and sensory perception; and sleep disturbance; 

Whereas movement disorders affect more than 40 million 

Americans; 

Whereas movement disorders are generally not well-recognized or understood, and symptoms may go unnoticed or 

be confused by medical professionals; 

Whereas a patient with a movement disorder may visit more 

than 15 doctors over the course of five years before receiving an accurate diagnosis; 

Whereas proper diagnosis can lead to effective treatment; 

Whereas with the establishment of a Movement Disorders 

Awareness Month, nonprofit groups, including WE 

MOVE, would work with patient advocacy groups and 

foundations, as well as professional medical associations 

and societies, to create awareness of the month and 

would create topical educational forums and generate 

media interest surrounding all movement disorders and 

the awareness month; 

Whereas observing such Month would raise public awareness 

about these chronic conditions and encourage earlier diagnosis, leading to up-to-date treatment and resulting in 

a better quality of life for individuals affected by movement disorders; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe October 2005 as 

Movement Disorders Awareness Month: Now, therefore, 

be it
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•HRES 405 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

2 the goals and ideals of Movement Disorders Awareness 

3 Month, and it is the sense of the House that observing 

4 such Month would—

5 (1) prick the public consciousness regarding the 

6 chronic disorders and difficulties that accompany 

7 these disorders; 

8 (2) inform individuals living with these dis9 orders of treatment options for an enhanced quality 

10 of life; 

11 (3) promote open forums during this month to 

12 educate the public about movement disorders; 

13 (4) affirm our commitment to families and indi14 viduals affected by motion disorders; and 

15 (5) facilitate continued research of motion dis16 orders in the people of the United States.

Æ