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[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 484 Introduced in House (IH)]

107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 484

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
                               epilepsy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 15, 2002

 Ms. Brown of Florida (for herself, Mr. Abercrombie, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
   Blagojevich, Mr. Boehlert, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Capuano, Ms. Carson of 
Indiana, Mr. Frost, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Holt, Mr. Hyde, Mr. 
   Israel, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, Mr. 
Kildee, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. Kleczka, Mr. Lampson, Mrs. McCarthy of New 
 York, Mr. McDermott, Ms. McKinney, Mrs. Meek of Florida, Mr. Meeks of 
   New York, Ms. Millender-McDonald, Mrs. Morella, Mr. Murtha, Mrs. 
 Napolitano, Mr. Owens, Mr. Payne, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mrs. Roukema, Mr. 
Rush, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Towns, Mr. Traficant, Mr. Watt of North Carolina, 
Mr. Waxman, and Ms. Woolsey) submitted the following resolution; which 
           was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
                               epilepsy.

Whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting 2,300,000 people in the 
        United States;
Whereas a seizure is a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain, and 
        25,000,000 Americans (1 in every 10) will have at least one seizure 
        during their lives;
Whereas 180,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are diagnosed each year, and 
        3 percent of Americans will have developed epilepsy by the time they are 
        75;
Whereas 41 percent of people who currently have epilepsy experience persistent 
        seizures despite the treatment they are receiving;
Whereas a survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        shows that the burden of disease for people with epilepsy is comparable 
        to that experienced by people with cancer, diabetes, and arthritis;
Whereas epilepsy in older children and adults remains a formidable barrier to a 
        normal life, affecting education, employment, marriage, childbearing, 
        and personal fulfillment;
Whereas the stigma surrounding epilepsy continues to fuel discrimination and 
        isolates people with seizure disorders from mainstream life;
Whereas in spite of these obstacles, epileptics can live healthy and productive 
        lives and go on to make significant contributions to society;
Whereas November 2002 would be an appropriate month to carry out activities to 
        increase the awareness of the public and of governmental entities 
        regarding epilepsy; and
Whereas we must ensure that people with epilepsy in underserved and unserved 
        areas of the country have access to appropriate care, and to this end it 
        is essential that the epilepsy program at the Health Resources and 
        Services Administration receive initial funding to create demonstration 
        projects to improve access to services in those communities: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) a National Epilepsy Awareness Month should be 
        established; and
            (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling upon 
        the people of the United States to observe the month with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>
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