III 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 118 

Supporting the designation of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 25, 2013 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. ISAKSON, and Mr. 

JOHANNS) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of April as Parkinson’s 

Awareness Month. 

Whereas Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease and is the second most common neurological disease in the United States; 

Whereas there is inadequate comprehensive data on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, nevertheless 

it is estimated that the disease affects 500,000 to 

1,500,000 people in the United States and the prevalence 

will more than double by 2040; 

Whereas there are millions of Americans who are caregivers, 

family members, and friends greatly impacted by Parkinson’s disease every day; 


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•SRES 118 ATS 

Whereas it is estimated that the economic burden of Parkinson’s disease is $14,400,000,000, including indirect costs 

to patients and family members each year; 

Whereas although research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s 

disease is a combination of genetic and environmental 

factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is 

still unknown; 

Whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, and the rate of misdiagnosis can be high; 

Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and include tremors, slowness of movement, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, constipation, skin 

problems, and sleep difficulties; 

Whereas there is currently no cure, therapy, or drug to slow 

or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson’s 

disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 

dose-limiting side effects, and ultimately lose their effectiveness, leaving the person unable to move, speak or 

swallow; and 

Whereas increased education and research are needed to find 

more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson’s 

disease: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of April as Parkin3 son’s Awareness Month; 


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•SRES 118 ATS 

1 (2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkinson’s 

2 Awareness Month; 

3 (3) continues to support research to find better 

4 treatments, and eventually, a cure for Parkinson’s 

5 disease; 

6 (4) recognizes the people living with Parkin7 son’s who participate in vital clinical trials to ad8 vance the knowledge of the disease; and 

9 (5) commends the dedication of State, local, re10 gional, and national organizations, volunteers, re11 searchers and millions of Americans across the 

12 United States working to improve the quality of life 

13 of persons living with Parkinson’s disease and their 

14 families. 

Æ 


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