III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 435 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 4, 2010 

Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. DORGAN, Mr. 

SPECTER, Mr. KERRY, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. BAYH, and Mr. 

DODD) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 

agreed to 

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 people in the United States live 

with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people worldwide have 

been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 

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

Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 

with multiple sclerosis; 


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Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown; 

Whereas the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable 

and vary from person to person; 

Whereas there is no laboratory test available that definitively 

defines a diagnosis for multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or directly inherited, but studies show that there are genetic 

factors that indicate that 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 

that 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 mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition 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 year; 


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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 a 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 in 2010, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the week of March 8th through March 

14th: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple 

3 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

4 (2) encourages States, territories, and posses5 sions of the United States and local communities to 

6 support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

7 Awareness Week; 

8 (3) encourages media organizations to partici9 pate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help 

10 educate the public about multiple sclerosis; 

11 (4) commends the efforts of the States, terri12 tories, and possessions of the United States and 

13 local communities that support the goals and ideals 

14 of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

15 (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 

16 the people of the United States to combating mul17 tiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about the 


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1 causes and risks of multiple sclerosis, and by pro2 moting new education programs, supporting re3 search, and expanding access to medical treatment; 

4 and 

5 (6) recognizes all people in the United States 

6 living with multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to 

7 their family members and friends who are a source 

8 of love and encouragement to them, and salutes the 

9 health care professionals and medical researchers 

10 who provide assistance to those living with multiple 

11 sclerosis and continue to work to find cures and im12 prove treatments. 

Æ 


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