IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 141 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 3, 2015 

Ms. LEE (for herself, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. HARPER, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LANGEVIN, 

Ms. CLARKE of New York, Ms. NORTON, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. KELLY of 

Pennsylvania, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, and Ms. MOORE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

Awareness Week. 

Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact people of all ages, 

races and ethnicities, but is more common (at least 2– 

3 times) in women than men; 

Whereas approximately 2,300,000 people worldwide have 

been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed between the 

ages of 20 and 50, however it is estimated that between 

8,000 and 10,000 children and adolescents are living 

with multiple sclerosis in the United States; 


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•HRES 141 IH 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable neurological 

disease that interrupts the flow of information within the 

brain and between the brain and the rest of the body; 

Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis and the 

progress, severity and specific symptoms of multiple sclerosis in any one person cannot yet be predicted; 

Whereas there is no laboratory test available that definitely 

defines a diagnosis for multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is not directly inherited, studies 

show there are genetic and likely environmental factors 

that indicate certain individuals are more susceptible to 

the disease, such as Caucasians of northern European 

ancestry; 

Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown 

and there is no cure; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national network 

of independent multiple sclerosis organizations dedicated 

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

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

the effective use and development of resources for the 

benefit of individuals and families affected by multiple 

sclerosis; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during March 

of every calendar year; 

Whereas the United States was a founding member of the 

international Progressive MS Alliance in 2012, coordiVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:08 Mar 03, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR141.IH HR141

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nating research to accelerate the development of treatment for progressive multiple sclerosis by removing scientific and technology barriers; 

Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are 

to invite people to join the movement to end multiple 

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 is recognized during the week of March 2, 2015, through 

March 8, 2015: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple 

3 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

4 (2) encourages States, territories, possessions of 

5 the United States, and localities to support the goals 

6 and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by 

7 issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis 

8 Awareness Week; 

9 (3) encourages media organizations to partici10 pate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help 

11 provide education to the public about multiple scle12 rosis; 

13 (4) commends the efforts of the States, terri14 tories, and possessions of the United States to supVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:08 Mar 03, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR141.IH HR141

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1 port the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

2 Awareness Week; 

3 (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 

4 the United States to ending multiple sclerosis by 

5 promoting— 

6 (A) awareness about individuals that are 

7 affected by multiple sclerosis; and 

8 (B) education programs, supporting re9 search, and expanding access to medical treat10 ment; 

11 (6) recognizes all individuals in the United 

12 States living with multiple sclerosis; 

13 (7) expresses gratitude to the family members 

14 and friends of individuals living with multiple scle15 rosis, who are a source of love and encouragement 

16 to those individuals; and 

17 (8) salutes the health care professionals and 

18 medical researchers who— 

19 (A) provide assistance to those individuals 

20 affected by multiple sclerosis; and 

21 (B) continue to work to find ways to stop 

22 the progression of the disease, restore nerve 

23 function, and end multiple sclerosis forever. 

Æ 


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