IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 149 
Expressing support for designation of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2013 
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York (for herself, Mr. KING of New 
York, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of April as Parkinson’s 
Awareness Month. 
Whereas Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neuro-
logical disease and is the second most common neuro-
logical disease in the United States; 
Whereas there is inadequate comprehensive data on the inci-
dence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease; 
Whereas it is estimated that the disease affects 500,000 to 
1,500,000 people in the United States and the prevalence 
will more than double by 2040; 
Whereas there are millions of people in the United States 
who are caregivers, family members, and friends greatly 
impacted by Parkinson’s disease every day; 
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•HRES 149 IH 
Whereas it is estimated that the economic burden of Parkin-
son’s disease is $14,400,000,000 including indirect costs 
to patients and family members of $6,300,000,000 each 
year; 
Whereas although research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s 
disease is a combination of genetic and environmental 
factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is 
still unknown; 
Whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkin-
son’s disease, and the rate of misdiagnosis can be high; 
Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from per-
son to person and include tremors, slowness of move-
ment, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speak-
ing, rigidity, cognitive impairment, dementia, mood dis-
orders (such as depression and anxiety) constipation, skin 
problems, and sleep difficulties; 
Whereas there is no cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt 
the progression of Parkinson’s disease; 
Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson’s 
disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 
dose-limiting side effects, and ultimately lose their effec-
tiveness, leaving the person unable to move, speak, or 
swallow; 
Whereas increased education and research are needed to find 
more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, ul-
timately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson’s 
disease; and 
Whereas April would be an appropriate month to designate 
as Parkinson’s Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 149 IH 
(1) supports the designation of Parkinson’s 
Awareness Month; 
(2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkinson’s 
Awareness Month; 
(3) continues to support research to find better 
treatments, and eventually, a cure for Parkinson’s 
disease; 
(4) recognizes the people living with Parkin-
son’s who participate in vital clinical trials to ad-
vance the knowledge of the disease; and 
(5) commends the dedication of State, local, re-
gional, and national organizations, volunteers, re-
searchers, and millions of people in the United 
States working to improve the quality of life of per-
sons living with Parkinson’s disease and their fami-
lies. 
Æ 
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