IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 176 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 7, 2017 

Ms. LEE (for herself, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, and Mr. CHABOT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

Awareness Week. 

Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact people of all ages, 

races, and ethnicities, but is more common (at least 2– 

3 times) in women than men; 

Whereas over 2,000,000 individuals worldwide have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is typically diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50, but it is estimated 

that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and adolescents 

are living with multiple sclerosis in the United States; 

Whereas multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts 


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the flow of information within the brain, and between the 

brain and body; 

Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis range from numbness and tingling, to vision problems and paralysis, and 

the progress, severity, and specific symptoms of multiple 

sclerosis in any one person cannot yet be predicted; 

Whereas while there is no evidence that multiple sclerosis is 

directly inherited, studies show that there are genetic and 

environmental factors that give certain individuals a 

higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis; 

Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still unknown 

and there is no cure; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national network 

of independent 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 United States plays a critical role in coordinating multiple sclerosis research globally and amplifies 

the impact of research in the United States through 

which results are delivered to multiple sclerosis patients; 

Whereas, in 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 

was a founding member of the International Progressive 

Multiple Sclerosis Alliance, which coordinates research to 

accelerate the development of treatments for progressive 

multiple sclerosis by removing international scientific and 

technological barriers and which now includes 16 multiple 


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sclerosis organizations from 15 countries, 8 foundation 

and trust members and 5 pharmaceutical partners; 

Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during March 

of every calendar year; 

Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are 

to invite people to join the movement to end multiple 

sclerosis, encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment to moving toward a world free of 

multiple sclerosis, and acknowledge those who have dedicated time and talent to help promote multiple sclerosis 

research and programs; and 

Whereas, in 2017, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the week of March 5 through March 11: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple 

3 Sclerosis Awareness Week; 

4 (2) encourages States, territories, possessions of 

5 the United States, and localities to support the goals 

6 and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by 

7 issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis 

8 Awareness Week; 

9 (3) encourages media organizations to— 

10 (A) participate in Multiple Sclerosis 

11 Awareness Week; and 

12 (B) help provide education to the public 

13 about multiple sclerosis; 


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1 (4) commends the efforts of the States, terri2 tories, and possessions of the United States to sup3 port the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 

4 Awareness Week; 

5 (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 

6 the United States to ending multiple sclerosis by— 

7 (A) promoting awareness about individuals 

8 that are affected by multiple sclerosis; and 

9 (B) supporting multiple sclerosis research 

10 and education programs; 

11 (6) recognizes all individuals in the United 

12 States living with multiple sclerosis; 

13 (7) expresses gratitude to the family members 

14 and friends of individuals living with multiple scle15 rosis, who are a source of love and encouragement 

16 to those individuals; and 

17 (8) salutes the health care professionals and 

18 medical researchers who— 

19 (A) provide assistance to those individuals 

20 affected by multiple sclerosis; and 

21 (B) continue to work to find ways to stop 

22 multiple sclerosis in its tracks, restore what has 

23 been lost, and end multiple sclerosis forever. 

Æ 


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