A joint resolution to designate the week beginning May 12, 1985, as "National Digestive Diseases Awareness Week".
PL 99-39 (S.J.Res.94), enacted 05/15/1985

PUBLIC LAW 99-39—MAY 15, 1985 
99 STAT. 71 
Public Law 99-39 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To designate the week beginning May 12, 1985, as "National Digestive Diseases 
May 15, 1985 
Awareness Week". 
[S.J. Res. 94] 
Whereas digestive diseases represent one of the most serious health 
problems of the Nation in terms of human discomfort and pain, 
mortality, personal expenditures for treatment, and working 
hours lost; 
Whereas digestive diseases rank among other forms of illness as the 
third largest burden on the economy of the Nation; 
Whereas 20,000,000 Americans suffer from chronic digestive dis-
eases and disorders, and more than 14,000,000 cases of acute 
digestive diseases are treated in the Nation each year; 
Whereas digestive diseases account for one-third of all malignant 
growths and for some of the most common acute infections; 
Whereas more Americans are hospitalized with digestive diseases 
than with any other form of illness; 
Whereas digestive diseases account for 25 percent of all surgical 
operations and comprise one of the most common causes of disabil-
ity in the working force; 
Whereas digestive diseases represent more than $17,000,000,000 
annually in direct health care costs and represent a total eco-
nomic burden of almost $50,000,000,000 annually; 
Whereas more than 200 deaths annually are caused by each of at 
least 100 different diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal 
tract; 
Whereas the people of the Nation should be concerned with research 
into the causes, cures, prevention, and clinical treatment of diges-
tive diseases and related nutrition problems and should recognize 
prevention and treatment of digestive diseases as a major health 
priority; 
Whereas national lay and professional digestive diseases organiza-
tions, individually and through the Coalition of Digestive Diseases 
Organizations and the Federation of Digestive Diseases Societies, 
are committed to promoting awareness and understanding, among 
members of the general public and the health care community, of 
digestive tract disorders; 
Whereas the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board, and the 
National Institutes of Health through its National Digestive Dis-
eases Education and Information Clearinghouse, are committed to 
encourage and coordinate these educational efforts; 
Whereas the National Digestive Diseases Education Program is a 
coordinated effort to educate the public and the health care 
community as to the seriousness of digestive diseases and to 
provide information on treatment, prevention, and control; and 
Whereas the second anniversary of the National Digestive Diseases 
Education Program occurs during the week beginning May 12, 
1985: Now, therefore, be it 
99 STAT. 72 
PUBLIC LAW 99-39—MAY 15, 1985 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning 
May 12, 1985, hereby is designated "National Digestive Diseases 
Awareness Week", and the President of the United States is au-
thorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all 
public officials and the people of the United States to observe such 
week with appropriate programs and activities. 
Approved May 15, 1985. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 94: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): 
Apr. 15, considered and passed Senate. 
May 7, considered and passed House.