III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 174 

Designating April 2021 as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 22, 2021 

Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. THUNE) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating April 2021 as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’. 

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

Whereas, although there is inadequate data on the incidence 

and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, the disease is estimated to affect between 500,000 and 1,000,000 individuals in the United States, with that number expected to 

more than double by 2040; 

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, Parkinson’s disease is the 15th leading cause 

of death in the United States; 

Whereas millions of individuals in the United States are 

greatly impacted by Parkinson’s disease, including the 


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•SRES 174 IS 

caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals living with Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas research suggests that the cause of Parkinson’s disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause of the disease in most individuals is still unknown; 

Whereas, as of March 2021, there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose Parkinson’s disease; 

Whereas there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the 

progression of Parkinson’s disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical 

needs of patients and remain effective over time; 

Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and may include— 

(1) tremors; 

(2) slowness of movement and rigidity; 

(3) problems with gait and balance; 

(4) disturbances in speech and swallowing; 

(5) cognitive impairment and dementia; 

(6) mood disorders; and 

(7) a variety of other nonmotor symptoms; 

Whereas volunteers, researchers, caregivers, and medical professionals are working to improve the quality of life of— 

(1) individuals living with Parkinson’s disease; and 

(2) the families of those individuals; and 

Whereas increased research, education, and community support services are needed— 

(1) to find more effective treatments; and 

(2) to provide access to quality care to individuals 

living with Parkinson’s disease: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 174 IS 

1 (1) designates April 2021 as ‘‘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 a cure for Parkinson’s disease; 

7 (4) recognizes the individuals living with Par8 kinson’s disease who participate in vital clinical 

9 trials to advance the knowledge of the disease; and 

10 (5) commends the dedication of the organiza11 tions, volunteers, researchers, and millions of indi12 viduals across the United States who are working to 

13 improve the quality of life of— 

14 (A) individuals living with Parkinson’s dis15 ease; and 

16 (B) the families of those individuals. 

Æ 


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