•HRES 1149 IH 
Whereas the inflammation of such vital organs may cause sei-
zures, blindness, disfiguring lesions, and heart failure; 
Whereas many individuals stricken with sarcoidosis eventually 
develop a serious disabling or potentially fatal condition; 
Whereas sarcoidosis was once thought to be an uncommon 
condition, but is now known to affect tens of thousands 
of people throughout the United States; 
Whereas sarcoidosis afflicts African-Americans up to 8 times 
more frequently than other races; 
Whereas as many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms, 
it is difficult to measure how many people have the condi-
tion; 
Whereas sarcoidosis is a disease that affects Americans na-
tionwide and people around the world, and yet its causes 
and potential treatments remain a mystery; 
Whereas skin-related symptoms of this chronic, multisystemic 
disease were first recognized more than 100 years ago, 
but the effects of the disease on other organs were not 
observed until the first quarter of this century; 
Whereas today, researchers are still trying to learn more 
about the causes, cures, and overall nature of this afflic-
tion; 
Whereas the American Lung Association has actively advo-
cated for more research to better understand how envi-
ronmental and occupational exposures may increase the 
risk of sarcoidosis; 
Whereas the National Sarcoidosis Society strives to serve 
those afflicted by the disease by focusing its efforts on 
public policy, research funding, patient services, public 
awareness and education, and finding a cure; and 
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•HRES 1149 IH 
Whereas April 2008 would be appropriate to designate as Na-
tional Sarcoidosis Awareness Month to increase public 
awareness of the need to support individuals with sar-
coidosis, to raise awareness of the environmental and oc-
cupational issues associated with sarcoidosis, and to edu-
cate medical professionals who care for individuals with 
sarcoidosis: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National 
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month; 
(2) recognizes that sarcoidosis has played a 
prominent yet hidden role in America’s workforce 
history, being the chief diagnosis of the deaths of 
fluorescent light bulb workers in Salem, Massachu-
setts, in the 1940s; 
(3) recognizes that sarcoidosis disproportion-
ately affects factory workers, Navy deckgrinders, 
and was the first diagnosis for an overwhelming ma-
jority of rescue workers who assisted with the rescue 
and recovery operations after the attacks on Sep-
tember 11, 2001; 
(4) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individ-
uals and organizations who observe National Sar-
coidosis Awareness Month with appropriate activities 
to further promote awareness of the disease; and 
(5) supports research efforts to better under-
stand the links between sarcoidosis and specific oc-
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•HRES 1149 IH 
cupations where sarcoidosis is disproportionately 
represented. 
Æ 
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