Designating the week beginning July 21, 1991, as "Lyme Disease Awareness Week".
PL 102-69 (H.J.Res.138), enacted 07/10/1991

PUBLIC LAW 102-69—JULY 10, 1991 
105 STAT. 327 
Public Law 102-69 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating the week beginning July 21, 1991, as "Lyme Disease Awareness Week". 
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[H.J. Res. looj 
Whereas Lyme disease (borreliosis) is spread primarily by the bite of 
four types of ticks infected with the bacteria Borrelia 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 Lyme, Connecticut; 
Whereas forty-six States reported twenty-two thousand five hundred 
and thirty-eight cases of Lyme disease from 1982 through 1989; 
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 painful intravenous injec-
tions) 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 develop-
ment; 
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; 
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 
105 STAT. 328 
PUBLIC LAW 102-69—JULY 10, 1991 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week 
beginning July 21, 1991, is designated as "Lyme Disease Awareness 
Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
such week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 
Approved July 10, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 138: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
May 29, considered and passed House. 
June 26, considered and passed Senate.