Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2982

 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—NOV. 19, 2003

117 STAT. 2963

NATIONAL EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH— SUPPORT

Nov. 19, 2003 [S. Con. Res. 48]

Whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes seizures and affects 2,300,000 people in the United States; Whereas a seizure is a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain, and 1 in every 12 Americans will suffer at least 1 seizure; Whereas 180,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are diagnosed each year, and 3 percent of Americans will develop epilepsy by the time they are 75; Whereas 41 percent of people who currently have epilepsy experience persistent seizures despite the treatment they are receiving; Whereas a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrated that the hardships imposed by epilepsy are comparable to those imposed by cancer, diabetes, and arthritis; Whereas epilepsy in older children and adults remains a formidable barrier to leading a normal life by affecting education, employment, marriage, childbearing, and personal fulfillment; Whereas uncontrollable seizures in a child can create multiple problems affecting the child’s development, education, socialization, and daily life activities; Whereas the social stigma surrounding epilepsy continues to fuel discrimination, and isolates people who suffer from seizure disorders from mainstream life; Whereas a significant number of people with epilepsy may lack access to medical care for the treatment of the disease; Whereas in spite of these formidable obstacles, people with epilepsy can live healthy and productive lives and make significant contributions to society; Whereas November is an appropriate month to designate as ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’; and Whereas the designation of a ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’ would help to focus attention on, and increase understanding of, epilepsy and those people who suffer from it: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress— (1) supports the goals and ideals of a ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’; (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation declaring a ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’; (3) calls upon the American people to observe ‘‘National Epilepsy Awareness Month’’ with appropriate programs and activities; and (4) urges support for epilepsy research programs at the National Institutes of Health and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Agreed to November 19, 2003.

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