IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 536 
Expressing support for the HHT Foundation International’s designation of 
a ‘‘National Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Month’’ and 
supporting efforts to educate the public about HHT. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 11, 2009 
Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts (for himself and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the HHT Foundation International’s 
designation of a ‘‘National Hereditary Hemorrhagic 
Telangiectasia (HHT) Month’’ and supporting efforts to 
educate the public about HHT. 
Whereas HHT, also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome, 
is a complex genetic blood vessel disorder characterized 
by telangiectases and artery-vein malformations that 
occur in major organs, including the lungs, brain, and 
liver, as well as the nasal mucosa, mouth, gastrointestinal 
tract, and skin of the face and hands; 
Whereas left untreated, HHT can result in considerable mor-
bidity and mortality, including acute and chronic health 
problems or sudden death; 
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•HRES 536 IH 
Whereas 20 percent of those with HHT, regardless of age, 
suffer death or disability due to the sudden rupture of 
blood vessels in the major organs in the body; 
Whereas, due to widespread lack of knowledge of the dis-
order, approximately 90 percent of those suffering from 
HHT are not yet diagnosed and are at risk for death or 
disability; 
Whereas HHT is often misdiagnosed or mistreated; 
Whereas tests exist for the early detection and proper diag-
nosis of HHT, and certain treatments are available in fa-
cilities such as the 9 HHT Treatment Centers of Excel-
lence in the United States; 
Whereas an estimated 20 to 40 percent of deaths and disabil-
ities resulting from HHT are preventable; 
Whereas HHT is a national health problem that affects ap-
proximately 70,000 people in the United States and 
1,200,000 worldwide; 
Whereas a leading academic institution has estimated that 
$6,600,000,000 of one-time health care costs can be 
saved by the aggressive management of the HHT at-risk 
population; 
Whereas support is needed for research, outreach, and edu-
cation to prevent death and disability, improve outcomes, 
reduce costs, and increase the quality of life for people 
living with HHT; 
Whereas ‘‘National Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia 
Month’’ will increase public awareness of HHT; and 
Whereas the HHT Foundation International has designated 
June 
as 
‘‘National 
Hereditary 
Hemorrhagic 
Telangiectasia Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 536 IH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports HHT Foundation International’s 
designation of a ‘‘National Hereditary Hemorrhagic 
Telangiectasia Month’’ and supports efforts to edu-
cate the public about HHT; 
(2) recognizes the need to pursue research into 
better treatments and an eventual cure for HHT; 
(3) supports the work of the HHT Foundation 
International to find a cure for HHT while saving 
lives and improving the well-being of individuals and 
families affected by HHT through research, out-
reach, education, and support; and 
(4) encourages the people of the United States 
and interested groups to observe and support the 
month through appropriate programs and activities 
that promote public awareness of HHT and poten-
tial treatments for it. 
Æ 
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