IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 485 

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the ALS Association Greater 

Philadelphia Chapter. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 28, 2017 

Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, and Mr. EVANS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the ALS Association 

Greater Philadelphia Chapter. 

Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive 

neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the 

brain and the spinal cord; 

Whereas motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal 

cord and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the 

body; 

Whereas the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons 

in ALS eventually leads to their death; 

Whereas when the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain 

to initiate and control muscle movement is lost; 


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Whereas people with ALS live, on average, just two to five 

years after diagnosis; 

Whereas established in 1985, the ALS Association is the only 

national nonprofit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease on every front; 

Whereas by leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care 

through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, the ALS Association builds hope 

and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching 

for new treatments and a cure; 

Whereas, as the preeminent ALS organization, the ALS Association leads the way in research, care services, public 

education, and public policy, giving help and hope to 

those facing the disease; 

Whereas the ALS Association’s nationwide network of chapters provides comprehensive patient services and support 

to the ALS community; 

Whereas the mission of the ALS Association is to lead the 

fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and 

nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with 

Lou Gehrig’s disease and their families to live fuller lives 

by providing them with compassionate care and support; 

Whereas the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter 

(referred to in this preamble as ‘‘the Chapter’’), founded 

in August 1977, covers eastern Pennsylvania, central and 

southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware, supporting approximately 1,000 people with ALS at any given time; 

Whereas the Chapter was first led and founded by Felice 

Weiner of Lower Merion, who started the organization 


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because her mother had ALS, and then, in 2016, she herself passed away from ALS as well; 

Whereas Ellyn Phillips joined the Chapter in 1981 after her 

husband Alan was diagnosed with ALS and later became, 

and remains, President of the Chapter; 

Whereas the Philadelphia Phillies took on ALS in 1984 and 

have since raised over $17.7 million to ‘‘Strike Out 

ALS’’, including $656,000 at the 2017 Phillies Phestival; 

Whereas the Chapter provides a long list of services for ALS 

families, including multidisciplinary clinics at Jefferson 

University, the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical 

Center, the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Geisinger 

Bloomsburg and Wyoming Valley, Meridian Health, and 

the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia; and 

Whereas other services of the Chapter include in-home care, 

an equipment loan closet, education programs, assistive 

technology and speech devices, nurses and social workers, 

support groups, and the Mike Kilpatric Van Transportation Program: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives com2 memorates the 40th anniversary of the ALS Association 

3 Greater Philadelphia Chapter. 

Æ 


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