IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 178 

Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury 

and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 13, 2009 

Mr. PASCRELL (for himself, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. 

MCDERMOTT, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. HINCHEY, 

Mr. CARNEY, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. GEORGE

MILLER of California, Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. 

BERKLEY, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. ALTMIRE, Mr. ROSS, 

Mr. MURTHA, Mr. HOLT, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. LAMBORN, Ms. ROSLEHTINEN, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. 

TAYLOR, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Ms. SUTTON, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. SESTAK, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. NYE, Mr. 

MARKEY of Massachusetts, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. HOLDEN, 

Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. CAPUANO, Ms. GIFFORDS, Mrs. 

CHRISTENSEN, Mr. WALZ, Mr. SPRATT, Mr. HARE, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. 

GONZALEZ, Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. 

RYAN of Ohio, Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Mr. SIRES, Mr. CONNOLLY

of Virginia, Mrs. EMERSON, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. HALL of New 

York, Mr. DRIEHAUS, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. LANCE, 

Mr. RUSH, Mr. BACA, Mr. ROONEY, Mr. ADLER of New Jersey, Mr. 

SALAZAR, Mr. PETERSON, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. PERRIELLO, Mr. STARK, 

Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. ARCURI, and Mr. CONYERS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury and support for the designation of 

a National Brain Injury Awareness Month. 


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•HRES 178 IH 

Whereas traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death 

and disability among children and young adults in the 

United States; 

Whereas at least 1.4 million Americans sustain a traumatic 

brain injury each year; 

Whereas each year, more than 125,000 of such Americans 

sustain permanent life-long disabilities from a traumatic 

brain injury, resulting in a life-altering experience that 

can include the most serious physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments; 

Whereas every 21 seconds, one person in the United States 

sustains a traumatic brain injury; 

Whereas at least 3.17 million Americans currently live with 

permanent disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain 

injury; 

Whereas traumatic brain injuries may have a life-altering impact on both Americans living with resultant disabilities 

and their families; 

Whereas concussions are serious injuries to the brain and 

multiple concussions can lead to lifelong disability and 

death; 

Whereas most cases of traumatic brain injury are preventable; 

Whereas traumatic brain injuries cost the nation $60 billion 

annually; 

Whereas the lack of public awareness is so vast that traumatic brain injury is known in the disability community 

as the Nation’s ‘‘silent epidemic’’; 


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•HRES 178 IH 

Whereas traumatic brain injury is the signature wound of the 

global war on terrorism as a result of roadside bombs 

and blasts; 

Whereas the military personnel who have served in the 

Armed Forces of the United States in such war and who 

return to the United States with traumatic brain injuries 

will require additional Federal, State, and local resources; 

Whereas there is a need for enhanced public awareness of 

traumatic brain injury; 

Whereas the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month will work toward enhancing public awareness 

of traumatic brain injury; and 

Whereas the Brain Injury Association of America has recognized March as Brain Injury Awareness Month: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of an appropriate 

3 month as National Brain Injury Awareness Month; 

4 and 

5 (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation 

6 calling on the people of the United States, Federal 

7 departments and agencies, States, localities, organi8 zations, and media to annually observe a National 

9 Brain Injury Awareness Month with appropriate 

10 ceremonies and activities. 

Æ 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with BILLS