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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 896 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 896

 Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, 
  and an eventual cure for primary lateral sclerosis, supporting the 
goals and ideals of the Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness 
                     Month, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 19, 2007

Mr. Baca submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, 
  and an eventual cure for primary lateral sclerosis, supporting the 
goals and ideals of the Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness 
                     Month, and for other purposes.

Whereas primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare neuromuscular disorder 
        characterized by progressive muscle spasticity and weakness in the 
        voluntary muscles;
Whereas PLS belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases. 
        Motor neuron diseases develop when the nerve cells that control 
        voluntary muscle movement degenerate and die, causing spasticity and 
        weakness in the muscles they control;
Whereas Hardy Brown is the co-publisher of the Black Voice News, a weekly 
        newspaper that fights against social injustice in the Inland Empire in 
        California, has worked tirelessly to raise funds for research for ALS 
        ``Lou Gehrig's disease'' which is a fatal motor neuron disease, and is 
        now diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis;
Whereas the onset of PLS usually occurs after age 50. Symptoms may include 
        difficulty with balance, weakness and stiffness in the legs, and 
        clumsiness. Other symptoms may include spasticity (sudden, involuntary 
        muscle spasms) in the hands, feet, or legs; foot dragging, and speech 
        problems due to involvement of the facial muscles;
Whereas primary lateral sclerosis affects individual people in different ways, 
        and as a result, treatment programs will vary;
Whereas there currently is no cure for primary lateral sclerosis, nor a way to 
        slow or reverse the progressive disability of this disorder;
Whereas the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation is a volunteer-managed and operated 
        non-profit organization devoted to finding the causes and cures for two 
        groups of neurodegenerative disorders called Spastic Paraplegia 
        (Hereditary and Apparently Sporadic) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis 
        (PLS);
Whereas the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the 
        National Institutes of Health conducts a broad range of research on 
        neuromuscular disorders such as PLS. This research is aimed at 
        developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure 
        these devastating diseases;
Whereas ``Hardy Brown disease'' would be an appropriate eponym for primary 
        lateral sclerosis disease; and
Whereas in conjunction with Black History Month, the month of February of 2008 
        would be an appropriate time to recognize Hardy Brown Primary Lateral 
        Sclerosis Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the 
        Nation about primary lateral sclerosis and the need for research 
        funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, 
        treatment, and an eventual cure for primary lateral sclerosis;
            (2) commends those hospitals, community clinics, 
        educational institutes, and other organizations that are--
                    (A) working to increase awareness of primary 
                lateral sclerosis; and
                    (B) conducting research for methods to help 
                patients suffering from primary lateral sclerosis;
            (3) congratulates the work of the Spastic Paraplegia 
        Foundation for its great efforts to educate, support, and 
        provide hope for individuals who suffer from primary lateral 
        sclerosis, while funding research to help find a cure for this 
        disorder;
            (4) supports the designation of an appropriate time to 
        recognize ``Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness 
        Month''; and
            (5) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
        the month with appropriate programs and activities.
                                 <all>
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