III 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 14 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
MARCH 6, 2009 
Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions 
CONCURRENT 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 2,500,000 people worldwide have 
been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 
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Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 
with multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 chil-
dren and adolescents are living with multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still un-
known; 
Whereas the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable 
and vary from person to person; 
Whereas there is no diagnostic laboratory test available for 
multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or di-
rectly inherited, but studies show there are genetic fac-
tors 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 it and re-
placing it with scar tissue, thereby interfering with or 
preventing the transmission of nerve signals; 
Whereas in rare cases multiple sclerosis is so progressive it 
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 enhance-
ment of the quality of life for all those affected by mul-
tiple sclerosis, recognizes, and celebrates Multiple Scle-
rosis Awareness Week; 
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition’s mission is to in-
crease opportunities for cooperation and provide greater 
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opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for 
the benefit of the multiple sclerosis community; 
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and cele-
brates Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during 1 week 
in March 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 dem-
onstrate their commitment to moving toward a world free 
of multiple sclerosis, and to acknowledge those who have 
dedicated their time and talent to help promote multiple 
sclerosis research and programs; and 
Whereas this year Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is rec-
ognized during the week of March 2, 2009 through 
March 8, 2009: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple 
Sclerosis Awareness Week; 
(2) encourages the President to issue a procla-
mation in support of the goals and ideals of Multiple 
Sclerosis Awareness Week; 
(3) encourages States, territories, possessions of 
the United States, and localities to support the goals 
and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by 
issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis 
Awareness Week; 
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(4) encourages media organizations to partici-
pate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help 
educate the public about multiple sclerosis; 
(5) commends the efforts of the States, terri-
tories, and possessions of the United States who 
support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
Awareness Week; 
(6) recognizes and reaffirms our Nation’s com-
mitment to combating multiple sclerosis by pro-
moting awareness about its causes and risks and by 
promoting new education programs, supporting re-
search, and expanding access to medical treatment; 
and 
(7) recognizes all people in the United States 
living with multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to 
their family members and friends who are a source 
of love and encouragement to them, and salutes the 
health care professionals and medical researchers 
who provide assistance to those so afflicted and con-
tinue to work to find cures and improve treatments. 
Passed the House of Representatives March 5, 
2009. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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