IV
House Calendar No. 69
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 61
[Report No. 107–183]
Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Awareness Month.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 13, 2001
Mr. BARRETT (for himself, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mr. FATTAH, Mr.
LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. RIVERS, Mr. REYES, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs.
MINK of Hawaii, Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. WAX-
MAN, Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. UPTON, Mr.
JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. COYNE, Ms. BERKLEY, and
Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
AUGUST 1, 2001
Additional sponsors: Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr.
CUNNINGHAM, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. SIMMONS, Mrs. JOHNSON of Con-
necticut, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. PHELPS, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. STARK, and Mr.
RUSH
AUGUST 1, 2001
Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.
•HCON 61 RH
Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is an extremely
painful progressive disease of the nervous system result-
ing from a simple trauma, infection, or surgery that can
lead to chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, stiff-
ness, and discoloration of the skin, muscles, blood vessels,
and bones;
Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts
an estimated 7 million children and adults, the majority
of whom are women;
Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, inhib-
iting the early diagnosis and treatment needed for recov-
ery and contributing to dismissals of patients’ pain and
suffering;
Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment in-
volves multiple medications and therapies with costs that
can be prohibitive;
Whereas Betsy Herman established the RSDHope Teen Cor-
ner in 1998 and she and countless other advocates have
worked tirelessly to provide information and support to
RSD sufferers and their families and friends and to bring
national attention to this crippling disease; and
Whereas each May is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Aware-
ness Month, the goal of which is to educate the public
about the nature and effects of this terrible disease: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
(1) all Americans should take an active role in
combatting reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by
recognizing its symptoms (which often follow an in-
•HCON 61 RH
jury or surgery), such as constant burning pain, skin
irritation, inflammation, muscle spasms, fatigue, and
insomnia;
(2) national and community organizations
should be recognized and applauded for their work
in promoting awareness about RSD and for pro-
viding information and support to its sufferers;
(3) health care providers should continue to in-
crease their efforts to diagnose the disease in its ear-
liest possible stages to increase the likelihood of re-
mission; and
(4) the Federal Government has a responsibility
to—
(A) endeavor to raise awareness about the
importance of the early detection and proper
treatment of RSD;
(B) work to increase research funding so
that the causes of, and improved treatment and
cure for, RSD may be discovered; and
(C) continue to consider ways to improve
access to, and the quality of, health care serv-
ices for detecting and treating RSD.
House Calendar No. 69
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 61
[Report No. 107–183]
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for a National Reflex
Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.
AUGUST 1, 2001
Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed