IV
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 398
Recognizing the devastating impact of fragile X, urging increased funding
for research on fragile X, and commending the goals of National Fragile
X Research Day, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 25, 2002
Mr. WATKINS of Oklahoma (for himself, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. MURTHA, Mrs.
ROUKEMA, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. WYNN, Mr. OLVER, Mr.
SULLIVAN, Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. WATTS of
Oklahoma, Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma, and Mr. BEREUTER) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the devastating impact of fragile X, urging in-
creased funding for research on fragile X, and com-
mending the goals of National Fragile X Research Day,
and for other purposes.
Whereas fragile X is the most common inherited cause of
mental retardation, affecting people of every race, income
level, and nationality;
Whereas 1 in every 267 women is a carrier of the fragile X;
Whereas children born with fragile X typically require a life-
time of special care at a cost of over $2,000,000 each;
•HRES 398 IH
Whereas fragile X frequently remains undetected because the
defect was relatively recently discovered and there is a
lack of awareness about the disease, even within the med-
ical community;
Whereas the gene causing fragile X has been discovered and
is easily identified by testing;
Whereas inquiry into fragile X is a powerful research model
for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizo-
phrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and other
forms of X-chromosome-linked mental retardation;
Whereas individuals with fragile X can provide a homo-
geneous research population for advancing the under-
standing of neuropsychiatric disorders;
Whereas with concerted research efforts, a cure for fragile X
may be developed;
Whereas fragile X research, both basic and applied, has been
vastly underfunded despite the prevalence of the disorder,
the potential for the development of a cure, the estab-
lished benefits of available treatments and interventions,
and the significance that fragile X research has for re-
lated disorders;
Whereas Members of Congress are in unique positions to help
raise public awareness about the need for increased fund-
ing for research and early diagnosis and treatment for
fragile X; and
Whereas throughout the United States, families and friends
of individuals with fragile X have designated October 5
as National Fragile X Research Day to promote efforts
to find a treatment and cure for fragile X: Now, there-
fore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
•HRES 398 IH
(1) recognizes the devastating impact of fragile
X on thousands of people in the United States and
their families;
(2) calls on the National Institutes of Health,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
other sources of Federal and private research funds
to enhance and increase their efforts and commit-
ments to fragile X research;
(3) calls on medical schools and other health
educators, medical societies and associations, and
Federal, State, and local health care facilities to pro-
mote research that will lead to a treatment and cure
for fragile X; and
(4) commends the goals and ideals of a Na-
tional Fragile X Research Day and supports inter-
ested groups in conducting appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs to demonstrate support for
such a day.
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