IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 500 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 5, 2014 

Ms. LEE of California (for herself, Mr. BURGESS, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) 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 men and women 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; 

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; 


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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, but studies show there are genetic and likely environmental factors that indicate certain individuals are 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 during March of every 

calendar year; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition’s mission 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 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 


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Whereas this year Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the week of March 3, 2014, through 

March 9, 2014: 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 the President to issue a procla5 mation in support of the goals and ideals of Multiple 

6 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

7 (3) encourages States, territories, possessions of 

8 the United States, and localities to support the goals 

9 and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by 

10 issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis 

11 Awareness Week; 

12 (4) encourages media organizations to partici13 pate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help 

14 educate the public about multiple sclerosis; 

15 (5) commends the efforts of the States, terri16 tories, and possessions of the United States who 

17 support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

18 Awareness Week; 

19 (6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation’s com20 mitment to ending multiple sclerosis by promoting 

21 awareness about people that are affected with mul22 tiple sclerosis and by promoting new education proVerDate Mar 15 2010 00:13 Mar 06, 2014 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR500.IH HR500

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1 grams, supporting research, and expanding access to 

2 medical treatment; and 

3 (7) recognizes all people in the United States 

4 living with multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to 

5 their family members and friends who are a source 

6 of love and encouragement to them, and salutes the 

7 health care professionals and medical researchers 

8 who provide assistance to those so affected and con9 tinue to work to find ways to stop the progression 

10 of the disease, restore nerve function and end mul11 tiple sclerosis. 

Æ 


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