H. Res. 1116 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
April 21, 2010. 
Whereas multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 
ages, races, and ethnicities; 
Whereas more than 400,000 Americans live with multiple 
sclerosis; 
Whereas approximately 2,500,000 people worldwide have 
been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas every hour of every day, someone is newly diagnosed 
with multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 chil-
dren and adolescents are living with multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas the exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still un-
known; 
Whereas the symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable 
and vary from person to person; 
Whereas there is no laboratory test available that definitely 
defines a diagnosis for multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or di-
rectly inherited, but studies show there are genetic fac-
tors that indicate certain individuals are susceptible to 
the disease;
•HRES 1116 EH 
Whereas multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune 
system attack affects the myelin in nerve fibers of the 
central nervous system, damaging or destroying it and re-
placing it with scar tissue, thereby interfering with or 
preventing the transmission of nerve signals; 
Whereas in rare cases multiple sclerosis is so progressive it 
is fatal; 
Whereas there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis; 
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, an affiliation of 
multiple sclerosis organizations dedicated to the enhance-
ment of the quality of life for all those affected by mul-
tiple sclerosis, recognizes, and celebrates Multiple Scle-
rosis Awareness Week; 
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition’s mission is to in-
crease opportunities for cooperation and provide greater 
opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for 
the benefit of the multiple sclerosis community; 
Whereas the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and cele-
brates Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during one 
week in March every calendar year; 
Whereas the goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are 
to invite people to join the movement to end multiple 
sclerosis, encourage everyone to do something to dem-
onstrate their commitment to moving toward a world free 
of multiple sclerosis, and to acknowledge those who have 
dedicated their time and talent to help promote multiple 
sclerosis research and programs; and 
Whereas this year Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is rec-
ognized during the week of March 8, 2010, through 
March 14, 2010: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
•HRES 1116 EH 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Multiple Scle-
rosis Awareness Week; 
(2) encourages the President to issue a proclama-
tion in support of the goals and ideals of Multiple Scle-
rosis Awareness Week; 
(3) encourages States, territories, possessions of the 
United States, and localities to support the goals and 
ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing 
proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness 
Week; 
(4) encourages media organizations to participate in 
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and help educate the 
public about multiple sclerosis; 
(5) commends the efforts of the States, territories, 
and possessions of the United States who support the 
goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; 
(6) recognizes and reaffirms the Nation’s commit-
ment to combating multiple sclerosis by promoting 
awareness about its causes and risks and by promoting 
new education programs, supporting research, and ex-
panding access to medical treatment; and 
(7) recognizes all people in the United States living 
with multiple sclerosis, expresses gratitude to their fam-
ily members and friends who are a source of love and 
encouragement to them, and salutes the health care pro-