III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 498 

Designating April 8, 2008, as ‘‘National Cushing’s Syndrome Awareness 

Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 2, 2008 

Mr. INHOFE (for himself and Mr. DODD) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating April 8, 2008, as ‘‘National Cushing’s Syndrome 

Awareness Day’’. 

Whereas Cushing’s Syndrome affects an estimated 10 to 15 

people per 1,000,000 people annually, most of those affected are between the ages of 20 and 50; 

Whereas Cushing’s Syndrome is an endocrine or hormonal 

disorder caused by the prolonged exposure of the body’s 

tissue to high levels of the hormone cortisol; 

Whereas exposure to cortisol can occur by overproduction of 

cortisol in the body or by taking glucocorticoid hormones, 

which are routinely prescribed for asthma, rheumatoid 

arthritis, and lupus, or as an immunosuppressant following organ transplants; 


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•SRES 498 ATS 

Whereas Cushing’s Syndrome may also result from pituitary 

adenomas, ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) 

syndrome, adrenal tumors, and Familial Cushing’s Syndrome; 

Whereas Cushing’s Syndrome can cause abnormal weight 

gain, skin changes, and fatigue and can ultimately lead 

to diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis, 

or death; 

Whereas Cushing’s Syndrome is diagnosed through a series 

of tests, often requiring x-ray examinations of adrenal or 

pituitary glands to locate tumors; 

Whereas many people who suffer from Cushing’s Syndrome 

are misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed for years because 

many of the symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrom are also indications of milder diseases, and those errors in diagnoses delay the implementation of important treatment 

options; 

Whereas treatments for Cushing’s Syndrome include surgery, 

radiation, chemotherapy, the use of cortisol-inhibiting 

drugs, and reducing the dosage of glucocorticoid hormones; 

Whereas Cushing’s Syndrome was discovered by Dr. Harvey 

Williams Cushing, who was born on April 8, 1869; 

Whereas the Dr. Harvey Cushing stamp was part of the 

United States Postal Service’s ‘‘Great American’’ series 

of stamps, initiated in 1980 to recognize individuals for 

making significant contributions to the heritage and culture of the United States; 

Whereas President Ronald Reagan spoke on April 8, 1987, 

in the Rose Garden at a White House ceremony to unveil 

the commemorative stamp honoring Dr. Harvey Cushing; 


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•SRES 498 ATS 

Whereas, following the ceremony, President Reagan hosted a 

reception in the State Dining Room for Mrs. John Hay 

Whitney, Dr. Cushing’s daughter, and representatives of 

the American Association of Neurological Surgeons; and 

Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness 

of Cushing’s Syndrome in the general public and the 

medical community: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates April 8, 2008, as ‘‘National 

3 Cushing’s Syndrome Awareness Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes that all people in the United 

5 States should become more informed and aware of 

6 Cushing’s Syndrome; 

7 (3) calls upon the people of the United States 

8 to observe the date with appropriate ceremonies and 

9 activities; and 

10 (4) directs the Secretary of the Senate to trans11 mit a copy of this resolution to the Cushing’s Under12 standing, Support, and Help Organization. 

Æ 


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