A joint resolution designating "National Reye's Syndrome Week".
PL 98-56 (S.J.Res.34), enacted 07/19/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-56—JULY 19, 1983 
97 STAT. 291 
Public Law 98-56 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating "National Reye's Syndrome Week". 
Whereas Reye's syndrome is a disease of unknown cause which 
normally attacks healthy children eighteen years of age and 
under, both male and female, which can kill or cripple more than 
half of its victims within several days by attacking the muscles, 
liver, brain, and kidneys, and which affects every organ in the 
body; 
Whereas Reye's syndrome is recognized by the Food and Drug 
Administration to be one of the top ten killers among all chil-
dren's diseases; 
Whereas Reye's syndrome was first recognized as a specific illness in 
1963 and is a new illness in name only since children have been 
affected for decades by the illness and Reye's syndrome cases have 
been improperly diagnosed; 
Whereas the reporting of cases of Reye's syndrome is required in 
only one-half of the States (for the purpose of this joint resolution, 
"States" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
and the other territories and possessions of the United States); 
Whereas volunteer Reye's syndrome organizations are established 
throughout the United States and are supported by thousands of 
parents; 
Whereas national Reye's syndrome volunteer organizations exist to 
encourage involvement of the Federal Government in supporting 
Reye's syndrome research; to encourage coordination of the treat-
ment and research efforts by the various Reye's syndrome treat-
ment and research centers; to establish Reye's syndrome as a 
reportable disease in every State; to establish at the Center for 
Disease Control a position for the review of data on Reye's syn-
drome patients; to sponsor a multicenter research study by recog-
nized authorities on Reye's syndrome; to sponsor programs to 
educate parents and medical professionals with respect to diagno-
sis and treatment of the illness; and to raise funds for research 
into cause, prevention, and treatment of Reye's syndrome; 
Whereas Reye's syndrome incidence continues to increase at a pace 
greater than the attention of the public, the Federal Government 
in general, and the Congress in particular; and 
July 19, 1983 
[S.J. Res. 34] 
97 STAT. 292 
PUBLIC LAW 98-56—JULY 19, 1983 
National 
Reye's 
Syndrome Week. 
Whereas the chief executive officers of several States have declared 
certain periods of time as Reye's syndrome weeks: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week of Novem-
ber 7 through November 13, 1983, is designated "National Reye's 
Syndrome Week". The President is authorized and requested to 
issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to 
observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved July 19, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 34: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
June 23, considered and passed Senate. 
June 30, considered and passed House.