III 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 717 

Expressing support for the designation of September 25, 2020, as ‘‘National 

Ataxia Awareness Day’’, and raising awareness of ataxia, ataxia research, 

and the search for a cure. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 

Ms. WARREN (for herself and Mrs. HYDE-SMITH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 

Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of September 25, 

2020, as ‘‘National Ataxia Awareness Day’’, and raising 

awareness of ataxia, ataxia research, and the search for 

a cure. 

Whereas ataxia is a clinical manifestation indicating degeneration or dysfunction of the brain that negatively affects 

the coordination, precision, and accurate timing of physical movements; 

Whereas ataxia can strike individuals of all ages, including 

children; 

Whereas the term ‘‘ataxia’’ is used to classify a group of 

rare, inherited neurodegenerative diseases including— 

(1) ataxia telangiectasia; 


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•SRES 717 IS 

(2) episodic ataxia; 

(3) Friedreich’s ataxia; and 

(4) spinocerebellar ataxia; 

Whereas there are many known types of genetic ataxia, but 

the genetic basis for ataxia in some patients is still unknown; 

Whereas all inherited ataxias affect fewer than 200,000 individuals and, therefore, are recognized as rare diseases 

under the Orphan Drug Act (Public Law 97–414; 96 

Stat. 2049); 

Whereas some genetic ataxias are inherited in an autosomal 

dominant manner, while others are inherited in an 

autosomal recessive manner; 

Whereas ataxia symptoms can also be caused by noninherited 

health conditions and other factors, including stroke, 

tumor, cerebral palsy, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, alcohol abuse, and certain medications; 

Whereas ataxia can present physical, psychological, and financial challenges for patients and their families; 

Whereas symptoms and outcomes of ataxia progress at different rates and include— 

(1) lack of coordination; 

(2) slurred speech; 

(3) cardiomyopathy; 

(4) scoliosis; 

(5) eye movement abnormalities; 

(6) difficulty walking; 

(7) tremors; 

(8) trouble eating and swallowing; 

(9) difficulties with other activities that require fine 

motor skills; and 


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(10) death; 

Whereas most patients with ataxia require the use of assistive 

devices, such as wheelchairs and walkers, to aid in their 

mobility, and many individuals may need physical and occupational therapy; 

Whereas there is no treatment or cure approved by the Food 

and Drug Administration for ataxia; and 

Whereas clinical research to develop safe and effective treatments for ataxia is ongoing: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the need for greater public 

3 awareness of ataxia; 

4 (2) expresses support for the designation of 

5 September 25, 2020, as ‘‘National Ataxia Awareness 

6 Day’’; 

7 (3) supports the goals of National Ataxia 

8 Awareness Day, which are— 

9 (A) to raise awareness of the causes and 

10 symptoms of ataxia among the general public 

11 and health care professionals; 

12 (B) to improve diagnosis of ataxia and ac13 cess to care for patients affected by ataxia; and 

14 (C) to accelerate ataxia research, including 

15 on safe and effective treatment options and, ul16 timately, a cure; 


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1 (4) acknowledges the challenges facing individ2 uals in the United States who have ataxia and the 

3 families of those individuals; and 

4 (5) encourages States, territories, and localities 

5 to support the goals of National Ataxia Awareness 

6 Day. 

Æ 


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