III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 477 

Supporting the goals and ideals of designating March 2008 as National 

Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 10, 2008 

Mr. CASEY (for himself and Ms. SNOWE) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of designating March 2008 

as National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness 

Month. 

Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 

ages; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis affects men and women of all 

races and ethnicities; 

Whereas approximately 400,000 Americans live with multiple 

sclerosis; 

Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people worldwide have 

been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas approximately 200 people a week are diagnosed with 

multiple sclerosis; 

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•SRES 477 IS 

Whereas over 400 cases of childhood multiple sclerosis have 

been identified in medical journals since 1980 and it is 

estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and 

adolescents are affected; 

Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown; 

Whereas the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable 

and vary from person to person; 

Whereas there is no laboratory test available for multiple 

sclerosis; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or directly inherited, but studies show there are genetic factors that indicate certain individuals are susceptible to 

the disease; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune 

system attack affects the myelin, destroying it and replacing it with scar tissue and severing nerve fibers interfering with the transmission of nerve signals; 

Whereas in rare cases multiple sclerosis is so progressive it 

is fatal; 

Whereas there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis; and 

Whereas March 2008 is recognized as National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 

3 Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month; 

4 (2) invites the chief executive officers of the 

5 States, territories, and possessions of the United 

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•SRES 477 IS 

1 States to issue proclamations designating March 

2 2008 as National Multiple Sclerosis Education and 

3 Awareness Month and recognizing the goals and 

4 ideals of National Multiple Sclerosis Education and 

5 Awareness Month; 

6 (3) commends the efforts of the States, terri7 tories, and possessions of the United States, local8 ities, non-profit organizations, businesses, and other 

9 entities and the people of the United States who 

10 support the goals and ideals of National Multiple 

11 Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month; 

12 (4) recognizes and reaffirms our Nation’s com13 mitment to combating multiple sclerosis by pro14 moting awareness about its causes and risks and by 

15 promoting new education programs, supporting re16 search, and expanding access to medical treatment; 

17 and 

18 (5) recognizes all Americans living with mul19 tiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to their family 

20 members and friends who are a source of love and 

21 encouragement to them, and salutes the health care 

22 professionals and medical researchers who provide 

23 assistance to those so afflicted and continue to work 

24 to find cures and improve treatments. 

Æ 

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