III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 474 

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

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 26 (legislative day, MARCH 25), 2010 

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

Colorado) 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 the second most common 

neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second 

only to Alzheimer’s disease; 

Whereas even though there is inadequate comprehensive data 

on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, 

as of 2010, it is estimated that the disease affects over 

1,000,000 people in the United States; 

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; 


pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 474 ATS 

Whereas there is no objective test for Parkinson’s disease and 

the rate of misdiagnosis can be high; 

Whereas symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person 

to person and include tremor, slowness, difficulty with 

balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, rigidity, cognitive problems, dementia, mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, constipation, skin problems, and 

sleep disruptions; 

Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson’s 

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

dose-limiting side-effects; 

Whereas ultimately the medications and treatments lose their 

effectiveness, generally after 4 to 8 years, leaving the person unable to move, speak, or swallow; 

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

the progression of Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas increased education and research are needed to help 

find more effective treatments with fewer side effects 

and, ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas the Federal Government, through the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense 

Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson’s Research 

Program, the Veterans Affairs Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers, and other agencies, supports vital work to better understand Parkinson’s disease and to find new treatments; and 

Whereas the Parkinson’s community will gather in Central 

Park on April 24, 2010, for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, 

an annual gathering inspiring people with Parkinson’s, 

their friends, and their families: Now, therefore, be it 


pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 474 ATS 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

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

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

5 Awareness Month; 

6 (3) continues to support research to find better 

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

8 disease; 

9 (4) recognizes the people living with Parkin10 son’s who participate in vital clinical trials to ad11 vance our knowledge of this disease; and 

12 (5) commends the dedication of local and re13 gional organizations, volunteers, and millions of 

14 Americans across the country working to improve 

15 the quality of life of persons living with Parkinson’s 

16 disease and their families. 

Æ 


pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with BILLS