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107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 24

 Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) 
                            Awareness Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 13, 2001

Mr. Lieberman submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) 
                            Awareness Month.

Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (referred to in this resolution as ``RSD'') 
        is an extremely painful progressive disease of the nervous system 
        resulting from a simple trauma, infection, or surgery that can lead to 
        chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration 
        of the skin, muscles, blood vessels, and bones;
Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts an estimated 
        7,000,000 children and adults, the majority of whom are women;
Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, inhibiting the early 
        diagnosis and treatment needed for recovery and contributing to 
        dismissals of patients' pain and suffering;
Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment involves multiple 
        medications and therapies with costs that can be prohibitive;
Whereas Betsy Herman established the RSDHope Teen Corner in 1998 and she and 
        countless other advocates have worked tirelessly to provide information 
        and support to RSD sufferers and their families and friends and to bring 
        national attention to this crippling disease; and
Whereas each May is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month, the goal of 
        which is to educate the public about the nature and effects of this 
        terrible disease: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) all Americans should take an active role in combatting 
        reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by recognizing its symptoms 
        (which often follow an injury or surgery), such as constant 
        burning pain, skin irritation, inflammation, muscle spasms, 
        fatigue, and insomnia;
            (2) national and community organizations should be 
        recognized and applauded for their work in promoting awareness 
        about RSD and for providing information and support to its 
        sufferers;
            (3) health care providers should continue to increase their 
        efforts to diagnose the disease in its earliest possible stages 
        to increase the likelihood of remission; and
            (4) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--
                    (A) endeavor to raise awareness about the 
                importance of the early detection and proper treatment 
                RSD;
                    (B) work to increase research funding so that the 
                causes of, and improved treatment and cure for, RSD may 
                be discovered; and
                    (C) continue to consider ways to improve access to, 
                and the quality of, health care services for detecting 
                and treating RSD.
                                 &lt;all&gt;

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