IV
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 194
Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’
and urging funding for epilepsy research and service programs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 22, 2003
Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida (for herself, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Ms. BALD-
WIN, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. BRADY of Pennsyl-
vania, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. DAVIS of
Illinois, Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. ETHERIDGE, Mr. FOLEY, Mr.
FROST, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. HAYWORTH, Mr. HOLDEN,
Mr. HOYER, Mr. HYDE, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr.
LAHOOD, Mr. LANTOS, Ms. LEE, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms.
MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. NEY, Mr. OWENS,
Mr. PASTOR, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr.
SANDLIN, Mr. STARK, Mr. TOWNS, and Mr. WAXMAN) submitted the fol-
lowing concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘National Epilepsy
Awareness Month’’ and urging funding for epilepsy re-
search and service programs.
Whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes sei-
zures and affects 2,300,000 people in the United States;
Whereas a seizure is a disturbance in the electrical activity
of the brain, and one in every twelve Americans will suf-
fer at least one seizure;
•HCON 194 IH
Whereas 180,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are diag-
nosed each year, and three percent of Americans will de-
velop epilepsy by the time they are 75;
Whereas 41 percent of people who currently have epilepsy ex-
perience persistent seizures despite the treatment they
are receiving;
Whereas a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention demonstrated that the hardships im-
posed by epilepsy are comparable to those imposed by
cancer, diabetes, and arthritis;
Whereas epilepsy in older children and adults remains a for-
midable barrier to leading a normal life by affecting edu-
cation, employment, marriage, childbearing, and personal
fulfillment;
Whereas uncontrollable seizures in children can create mul-
tiple problems affecting the child’s development, edu-
cation, socialization, and daily life activities;
Whereas the social stigma surrounding epilepsy continues to
fuel discrimination, and isolates people who suffer from
seizure disorders from mainstream life;
Whereas in spite of these formidable obstacles, people with
epilepsy can live healthy and productive lives and make
significant contributions to society;
Whereas November is an appropriate month to designate as
‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’;
Whereas the designation of a ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness
Month’’ would help to focus attention on, and increase
understanding of, epilepsy and those people who suffer
from it: Now, therefore, be it
•HCON 194 IH
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress—
(1) supports the goals and ideals of a ‘‘National
Epilepsy Awareness Month’’;
(2) requests the President to issue a proclama-
tion declaring an annual ‘‘National Epilepsy Aware-
ness Month’’;
(3) calls upon the American people to observe
‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’ with appro-
priate programs and activities;
(4) urges an increase in funding for epilepsy re-
search programs at the National Institutes of Health
and at the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion; and
(5) urges that initial funding be provided to the
Health Resources and Services Administration of the
Department of Health and Human Services to cre-
ate demonstration projects to serve people with epi-
lepsy who may lack access to adequate medical care
for the treatment of such disease.
Æ