Designating the week beginning July 26, 1992, as "Lyme Disease Awareness Week".
PL 102-319 (H.J.Res.459), enacted 07/08/1992

PUBLIC LAW 102-319-JULY 8, 1992 
106 STAT. 319 
Public Law 102-319 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating the week beginning July 26, 1992 as "Ljrme Disease Awareness Week". 
Whereas Lyme disease (borreliosis) is spread primarily by the bite 
of four types of ticks infected with the bacteria Borreha 
burgdorferi; 
Whereas Lyme disease-carrying ticks can be found across the coun-
try—^in woods, mountains, beaches, even in our yards, and no 
effective tick control measures currently exist; 
Whereas infected ticks can be carried by animals such as cats, 
dogs, horses, cows, goats, birds, and transferred to humans; 
Whereas our pets and livestock can be infected with Lyme disease 
by ticks; 
Whereas Lyme disease was first discovered in Europe in 1883 
and scientists have recently proven its presence on Long Island 
as early as the 1940's; 
Whereas Lyme disease was first found in Wisconsin in 1969, and 
derives its name from the diagnosis of a cluster of cases in 
the mid-1970's in Ljrme, Connecticut; 
Whereas forty-nine States reported more than 40,000 cases of Lyme 
disease from 1982 through 1991; 
Whereas Lyme disease knows no season—the peak west coast and 
southern season is November to June, the peak east coast and 
northern season is April to October, and victims suffer all year 
round; 
Whereas Lyme disease, easily treated soon after the bite with 
oral antibiotics, can be difficult to treat (by p£iinful intravenous 
injections) if not discovered in time, and for some may be 
incurable; 
Whereas Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because there is 
no reliable test that can directly detect when the infection is 
present; 
Whereas the early symptoms of Lyme disease may include rashes, 
severe headaches, fever, fatigue, and swollen glands; 
Whereas if left untreated Lyme disease can affect every body system 
causing severe damage to the heart, brain, eyes, joints, lungs, 
liver, spleen, blood vessels, and kidneys; 
Whereas the bacteria can cross the placenta and affect fetal 
development; 
Whereas our children are the most vulnerable and most widely 
affected group; 
Whereas the best cure for Lyme disease is prevention; 
Whereas prevention of Lyme disease depends upon public aware-
ness; and 
Whereas education is essential to making the general public, health 
care professionals, employers, and insurers more knowledgeable 
about Lyme disease and its debilitating side effects: Now, there-
fore, be it 
July 8, 1992 
[H.J. Res. 459] 
106 STAT. 320 
PUBLIC LAW 102-319^JULY 8, 1992 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning 
July 26, 1992 is designated as "L3m[ie Disease Awareness Week", 
and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclama-
» 
tion calUng upon the people of the United States to observe such 
week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 
Approved July 8, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 459 (S.J. Res. 288): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
June 25, considered and passed House. 
June 26, H.J. Res. 459 and S.J. Res. 288 considered and passed Senate.