IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 61

Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)

Awareness Month.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 13, 2001

Mr. BARRETT (for himself, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mr. FATTAH, Mr.

LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. RIVERS, Mr. REYES, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs.

MINK of Hawaii, Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. UPTON, Mr.

JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. COYNE, Ms. BERKLEY, and

Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which

was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic

Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is an extremely

painful progressive disease of the nervous system resulting from a simple trauma, infection, or surgery that can

lead to chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration of the skin, muscles, blood vessels,

and bones;

Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts

an estimated 7 million children and adults, the majority

of whom are women;
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Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, inhibiting the early diagnosis and treatment needed for recovery and contributing to dismissals of patients’ pain and

suffering;

Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment involves multiple medications and therapies with costs that

can be prohibitive;

Whereas Betsy Herman established the RSDHope Teen Corner in 1998 and she and countless other advocates have

worked tirelessly to provide information and support to

RSD sufferers and their families and friends and to bring

national attention to this crippling disease; and

Whereas each May is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month, the goal of which is to educate the public

about the nature and effects of this terrible disease: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) all Americans should take an active role in

4 combatting reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by

5 recognizing its symptoms (which often follow an in6 jury or surgery), such as constant burning pain, skin

7 irritation, inflammation, muscle spasms, fatigue, and

8 insomnia;

9 (2) national and community organizations

10 should be recognized and applauded for their work

11 in promoting awareness about RSD and for pro12 viding information and support to its sufferers;
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1 (3) health care providers should continue to in2 crease their efforts to diagnose the disease in its ear3 liest possible stages to increase the likelihood of re4 mission; and

5 (4) the Federal Government has a responsibility

6 to—

7 (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the

8 importance of the early detection and proper

9 treatment of RSD;

10 (B) work to increase research funding so

11 that the causes of, and improved treatment and

12 cure for, RSD may be discovered; and

13 (C) continue to consider ways to improve

14 access to, and the quality of, health care serv15 ices for detecting and treating RSD.

Æ