III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 396 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 14, 2012 

Mr. CASEY (for himself, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. 

WICKER, Mr. TESTER, and Ms. AYOTTE) 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 Americans live with multiple 

sclerosis; 

Whereas approximately 2,100,000 people worldwide have 

been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 

with multiple sclerosis; 

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

Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown; 


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•SRES 396 ATS 

Whereas the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable 

and vary from person to person; 

Whereas there is no laboratory test available that definitively 

diagnoses a case of multiple sclerosis; 

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

factors that indicate 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 the myelin and replacing the myelin with scar tissue, thereby 

interfering with or preventing the transmission of nerve 

signals; 

Whereas in rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so progressive 

that the disease 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 supports 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 supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during March 

of every calendar year; 


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•SRES 396 ATS 

Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week 

are— 

(1) to invite people to join the movement to end 

multiple sclerosis; 

(2) to encourage everyone to do something that demonstrates a commitment to moving toward a world free 

of multiple sclerosis; and 

(3) to acknowledge those who have dedicated their 

time and talent to help promote multiple sclerosis research and programs; and 

Whereas in 2012, the week of March 12, 2012, through 

March 18, 2012, has been designated as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week: 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 the States, territories, posses5 sions, and localities of the United States to support 

6 the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness 

7 Week by issuing proclamations designating Multiple 

8 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

9 (3) encourages media organizations to partici10 pate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and to 

11 help educate the public about multiple sclerosis; 

12 (4) commends the efforts of the States, terri13 tories, and possessions of the United States that 

14 support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

15 Awareness Week; 


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•SRES 396 ATS 

1 (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 

2 the United States to creating a world free of mul3 tiple sclerosis by— 

4 (A) promoting awareness about people who 

5 are affected with multiple sclerosis; and 

6 (B) promoting new education programs, 

7 supporting research, and expanding access to 

8 medical treatment; and 

9 (6) expresses gratitude to the family members 

10 and friends of those people in the United States liv11 ing with multiple sclerosis who are a source of love 

12 and encouragement to those individuals; and 

13 (7) salutes the health care professionals and 

14 medical researchers who provide assistance to those 

15 individuals affected with multiple sclerosis and con16 tinue to work to find ways to stop the progression 

17 of the disease, restore nerve function, and end mul18 tiple sclerosis forever. 

Æ 


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