Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 1.djvu/582

 99 STAT. 560

PUBLIC LAW 99-137—OCT. 30, 1985 Public Law 99-137 99th Congress Joint Resolution

Oct. 30, 1985 [H.J. Res. 308]

Designating the week beginning on October 20, 1985, as "Benign Essential Blepharospasm Awareness Week".

Whereas benign essential blepharospasm is a little known eyerelated disease, causing involuntary and usually uncontrollable spastic contraction of muscles around the eyes; Whereas approximately five hundred thousand Americans are afflicted with blepharospasm, which is progressive and ultimately causes functional blindness; Whereas the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Incorporated, was begun with the purpose of finding the cause and a successful cure for benign essential blepharospasm; Whereas this important foundation sponsors programs and activities to create an awareness of blepharospasm in the medical community as well as in the general public, organizes support groups throughout the country to encourage communication among persons with the disease, and it seeks to raise money through public and private contributions to be used for research; Whereas research scientists from around the country are extremely interested in research on this little known malady and are submitting grant applications to the National Institutes of Health to study benign essential blepharospasm; and Whereas increased public awareness of the disease and its victims will be a tremendous benefit to the victims of this disease and will lead to increased medical research and awareness, as well as available information and advice for those afflicted with benign essential blepharospasm: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning on October 20, 1985, is hereby designated as "Benign Essential Blepharospasm 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 ceremonies and activities. Approved October 30, 1985.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res 308: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): Oct. 17, considered and passed House. Oct. 25, considered and passed Senate.

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