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<PRE>[DOCID: f:hc271enr.txt]
        H.Con.Res.271
                                     Agreed to December 15, 2000        

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
             the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease of 
  the central nervous system which often first appears in people 
  between the ages of 20 and 40, with lifelong physical and emotional 
  effects;

Whereas multiple sclerosis is twice as common in women as in men;

Whereas an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 individuals suffer from 
  multiple sclerosis nationally;

Whereas symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be mild, such as numbness in 
  the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision;

Whereas the progress, severity, and specific symptoms of multiple 
  sclerosis in any one person cannot yet be predicted;

Whereas the annual cost to each affected individual averages $34,000, 
  and the total cost can exceed $2 million over an individual's 
  lifetime;

Whereas the annual cost of treating all people who suffer from multiple 
  sclerosis in the United States is nearly $9 billion;

Whereas the cause of multiple sclerosis remains unknown, but genetic 
  factors are believed to play a role in determining a person's risk 
  for developing multiple sclerosis;

Whereas many of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be treated with 
  medications and rehabilitative therapy;

Whereas new treatments exist that can slow the course of the disease, 
  and reduce its severity;

Whereas medical experts recommend that all people newly diagnosed with 
  relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis begin disease-modifying therapy;

Whereas finding the genes responsible for susceptibility to multiple 
  sclerosis may lead to the development of new and more effective ways 
  to treat the disease;

Whereas increased funding for the National Institutes of Health would 
  provide the opportunity for research and the creation of programs to 
  increase awareness, prevention, and education; and

Whereas Congress as an institution, and Members of Congress as 
  individuals, are in unique positions to help raise public awareness 
  about the detection and treatment of multiple sclerosis and to 
  support the fight against multiple sclerosis: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
        (1) all Americans should take an active role in the fight to 
    end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis on individuals, 
    their families, and the economy;
        (2) the role played by national and community organizations and 
    health care professionals in promoting the importance of continued 
    funding for research, and in providing information about and access 
    to the best medical treatment and support services for people with 
    multiple sclerosis should be recognized and applauded;
        (3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
            (A) continue to fund research so that the causes of, and 
        improved treatment for, multiple sclerosis may be discovered;
            (B) continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the 
        quality of, health care services for people with multiple 
        sclerosis;
            (C) endeavor to raise public awareness about the symptoms 
        of multiple sclerosis; and
            (D) endeavor to raise health professional's awareness about 
        diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the best course of 
        treatment for people with the disease.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.

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