IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 419 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 

Ms. LEE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

Awareness Week. 

Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 

ages, races, and ethnicities; 

Whereas more than 400,000 Americans live with multiple 

sclerosis; 

Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people worldwide have 

been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 

with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and adolescents are living with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown; 


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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 in nerve fibers of the 

central nervous system, damaging or destroying it and replacing it with scar tissue, thereby interfering with or 

preventing 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; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, an affiliation of 

multiple sclerosis organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for all those affected by multiple sclerosis, recognizes, and celebrates Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition’s mission is to increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater 

opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for 

the benefit of the multiple sclerosis community; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and celebrates Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during 1 week 

in March every calendar year; 

Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are 

to invite people to join the movement to end multiple 


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sclerosis, encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate their commitment to moving toward a world free 

of multiple sclerosis, and to acknowledge those who have 

dedicated their time and talent to help promote multiple 

sclerosis research and programs; and 

Whereas this year Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week was 

recognized during the week of March 10, 2008 through 

March 17, 2008: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That the United States House of Representa3 tives— 

4 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple 

5 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

6 (2) encourages the President to issue a procla7 mation in support of the goals and ideals of Multiple 

8 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

9 (3) encourages States, territories, possessions of 

10 the United States, and localities to support the goals 

11 and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by 

12 issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis 

13 Awareness Week; 

14 (4) encourages media organizations to partici15 pate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help 

16 educate the public about multiple sclerosis; 

17 (5) commends the efforts of the States, terri18 tories, and possessions of the United States who 


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1 support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

2 Awareness Week; 

3 (6) recognizes and reaffirms our Nation’s com4 mitment to combating multiple sclerosis by pro5 moting awareness about its causes and risks and by 

6 promoting new education programs, supporting re7 search, and expanding access to medical treatment; 

8 and 

9 (7) recognizes all people in the United States 

10 living with multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to 

11 their family members and friends who are a source 

12 of love and encouragement to them, and salutes the 

13 health care professionals and medical researchers 

14 who provide assistance to those so afflicted and con15 tinue to work to find cures and improve treatments. 

Æ 


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