•HRES 896 IH 
Whereas Hardy Brown is the co-publisher of the Black Voice 
News, a weekly newspaper that fights against social in-
justice in the Inland Empire in California, has worked 
tirelessly to raise funds for research for ALS ‘‘Lou 
Gehrig’s disease’’ which is a fatal motor neuron disease, 
and is now diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis; 
Whereas the onset of PLS usually occurs after age 50. Symp-
toms may include difficulty with balance, weakness and 
stiffness in the legs, and clumsiness. Other symptoms 
may include spasticity (sudden, involuntary muscle 
spasms) in the hands, feet, or legs; foot dragging, and 
speech problems due to involvement of the facial muscles; 
Whereas primary lateral sclerosis affects individual people in 
different ways, and as a result, treatment programs will 
vary; 
Whereas there currently is no cure for primary lateral scle-
rosis, nor a way to slow or reverse the progressive dis-
ability of this disorder; 
Whereas the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation is a volunteer- 
managed and operated non-profit organization devoted to 
finding the causes and cures for two groups of 
neurodegenerative disorders called Spastic Paraplegia 
(Hereditary and Apparently Sporadic) and Primary Lat-
eral Sclerosis (PLS); 
Whereas the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and 
Stroke at the National Institutes of Health conducts a 
broad range of research on neuromuscular disorders such 
as PLS. This research is aimed at developing techniques 
to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure these dev-
astating diseases; 
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•HRES 896 IH 
Whereas ‘‘Hardy Brown disease’’ would be an appropriate 
eponym for primary lateral sclerosis disease; and 
Whereas in conjunction with Black History Month, the month 
of February of 2008 would be an appropriate time to rec-
ognize Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Aware-
ness Month in order to educate communities across the 
Nation about primary lateral sclerosis and the need for 
research funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treat-
ments: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the need to pursue research into 
the causes, treatment, and an eventual cure for pri-
mary lateral sclerosis; 
(2) commends those hospitals, community clin-
ics, educational institutes, and other organizations 
that are— 
(A) working to increase awareness of pri-
mary lateral sclerosis; and 
(B) conducting research for methods to 
help patients suffering from primary lateral 
sclerosis; 
(3) congratulates the work of the Spastic Para-
plegia Foundation for its great efforts to educate, 
support, and provide hope for individuals who suffer 
from primary lateral sclerosis, while funding re-
search to help find a cure for this disorder; 
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•HRES 896 IH 
(4) supports the designation of an appropriate 
time to recognize ‘‘Hardy Brown Primary Lateral 
Sclerosis Awareness Month’’; and 
(5) calls upon the people of the United States 
to observe the month with appropriate programs and 
activities. 
Æ 
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