IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 149 

Expressing support for designation of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 10, 2013 

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York (for herself, Mr. KING of New 

York, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of April as Parkinson’s 

Awareness Month. 

Whereas Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease and is the second most common neurological disease in the United States; 

Whereas there is inadequate comprehensive data on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas it is estimated that the disease affects 500,000 to 

1,500,000 people in the United States and the prevalence 

will more than double by 2040; 

Whereas there are millions of people in the United States 

who are caregivers, family members, and friends greatly 

impacted by Parkinson’s disease every day; 


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•HRES 149 IH 

Whereas it is estimated that the economic burden of Parkinson’s disease is $14,400,000,000 including indirect costs 

to patients and family members of $6,300,000,000 each 

year; 

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; 

Whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, and the rate of misdiagnosis can be high; 

Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and include tremors, slowness of movement, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood disorders (such as depression and anxiety) constipation, skin 

problems, and sleep difficulties; 

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

the progression of Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson’s 

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

dose-limiting side effects, and ultimately lose their effectiveness, leaving the person unable to move, speak, or 

swallow; 

Whereas increased education and research are needed to find 

more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson’s 

disease; and 

Whereas April would be an appropriate month to designate 

as Parkinson’s Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) supports the designation of Parkinson’s 

2 Awareness Month; 

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

4 Awareness Month; 

5 (3) continues to support research to find better 

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

7 disease; 

8 (4) recognizes the people living with Parkin9 son’s who participate in vital clinical trials to ad10 vance the knowledge of the disease; and 

11 (5) commends the dedication of State, local, re12 gional, and national organizations, volunteers, re13 searchers, and millions of people in the United 

14 States working to improve the quality of life of per15 sons living with Parkinson’s disease and their fami16 lies. 

Æ 


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