H. Res. 69 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 22, 2009. 

Whereas diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by the 

inability of the pancreas to produce insulin or to use the 

insulin produced in the proper way; 

Whereas in the case of Type I diabetes or insulin-dependent 

diabetes, formerly called juvenile-onset diabetes because 

it tends to affect persons before the age of 20, the pancreas makes almost no insulin; 

Whereas in the case of Type II diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, which comprises about 90 percent of all 

cases of diabetes, the pancreas produces a reduced 

amount of insulin or the cells do not respond to the insulin; 

Whereas this year 23.6 million Americans suffer from one 

form or another of this disease, and 5.7 million people go 

undiagnosed, commonly known as pre-diabetes; 

Whereas 2.0 million or 8.2 percent of all Latino Americans 

aged twenty years or older have diabetes, and Latino 

Americans are 1.5 times more likely to have diabetes 

than non-Latino whites of similar age; 

Whereas Mexican-Americans, the largest Latino subgroup in 

the United States, are more than twice as likely to have 

diabetes as non-Latino whites of similar age; 
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Whereas residents of Puerto Rico are 1.8 times more likely 

to have diagnosed diabetes than United States nonLatino whites; 

Whereas diabetes affects individuals in different ways, and as 

a result, treatment programs will vary; 

Whereas diabetes in the Latino community can result in a 

high prevalence of complications, such as foot problems 

and amputations, kidney failure that may lead to chronic 

or end stage renal disease, blindness, numbness and loss 

of sensation in the legs, heart attacks and strokes, and 

eventually death; 

Whereas individuals suffering from diabetes can reduce their 

risk for complications if they are educated about their 

disease; learn and practice the skills necessary to better 

control their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels; exercise; and receive regular checkups; 

Whereas targeted health communications to the public are 

vital in disseminating information about diabetes and the 

need to live a healthy lifestyle; 

Whereas the Latino Diabetes Association, a nonprofit organization devoted to aggressive diabetes education, has 

worked tirelessly to raise funds for diabetes education 

and to find the causes of and cure for diabetes; and 

Whereas the month of July of 2009 would be an appropriate 

month to recognize Latino Diabetes Awareness Month in 

order to educate Latino communities across the Nation 

about diabetes and the need for research funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments: Now, therefore, 

be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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(1) recognizes the need to continue research into 

the causes, treatment, education, and an eventual cure 

for diabetes; 

(2) commends those hospitals, community clinics, 

educational institutes, and other organizations that 

are— 

(A) working to increase awareness of diabetes; 

and 

(B) conducting research for methods to help 

patients and families in the Latino community suffering from diabetes; 

(3) congratulates the work of the Latino Diabetes 

Association for its great efforts to educate, support, and 

provide hope for individuals and their families who suffer 

from diabetes; 

(4) supports the designation of an appropriate 

month to recognize ‘‘Latino Diabetes Awareness 

Month’’; and 

(5) calls upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities. 

Attest: 

Clerk.