IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 398

Recognizing the devastating impact of fragile X, urging increased funding

for research on fragile X, and commending the goals of National Fragile

X Research Day, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 25, 2002

Mr. WATKINS of Oklahoma (for himself, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. MURTHA, Mrs.

ROUKEMA, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. WYNN, Mr. OLVER, Mr.

SULLIVAN, Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. WATTS of

Oklahoma, Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma, and Mr. BEREUTER) submitted the

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and

Commerce

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the devastating impact of fragile X, urging increased funding for research on fragile X, and commending the goals of National Fragile X Research Day,

and for other purposes.

Whereas fragile X is the most common inherited cause of

mental retardation, affecting people of every race, income

level, and nationality;

Whereas 1 in every 267 women is a carrier of the fragile X;

Whereas children born with fragile X typically require a lifetime of special care at a cost of over $2,000,000 each;
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•HRES 398 IH

Whereas fragile X frequently remains undetected because the

defect was relatively recently discovered and there is a

lack of awareness about the disease, even within the medical community;

Whereas the gene causing fragile X has been discovered and

is easily identified by testing;

Whereas inquiry into fragile X is a powerful research model

for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and other

forms of X-chromosome-linked mental retardation;

Whereas individuals with fragile X can provide a homogeneous research population for advancing the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders;

Whereas with concerted research efforts, a cure for fragile X

may be developed;

Whereas fragile X research, both basic and applied, has been

vastly underfunded despite the prevalence of the disorder,

the potential for the development of a cure, the established benefits of available treatments and interventions,

and the significance that fragile X research has for related disorders;

Whereas Members of Congress are in unique positions to help

raise public awareness about the need for increased funding for research and early diagnosis and treatment for

fragile X; and

Whereas throughout the United States, families and friends

of individuals with fragile X have designated October 5

as National Fragile X Research Day to promote efforts

to find a treatment and cure for fragile X: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
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•HRES 398 IH

1 (1) recognizes the devastating impact of fragile

2 X on thousands of people in the United States and

3 their families;

4 (2) calls on the National Institutes of Health,

5 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and

6 other sources of Federal and private research funds

7 to enhance and increase their efforts and commit8 ments to fragile X research;

9 (3) calls on medical schools and other health

10 educators, medical societies and associations, and

11 Federal, State, and local health care facilities to pro12 mote research that will lead to a treatment and cure

13 for fragile X; and

14 (4) commends the goals and ideals of a Na15 tional Fragile X Research Day and supports inter16 ested groups in conducting appropriate ceremonies,

17 activities, and programs to demonstrate support for

18 such a day.

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