[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 194 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 194
Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Epilepsy Awareness
Month'' and urging funding for epilepsy research and service programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 22, 2003
Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida (for herself, Mr. Abercrombie, Ms.
Baldwin, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Brady of
Pennsylvania, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Davis of
Illinois, Mr. Emanuel, Mr. Engel, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Foley, Mr. Frost,
Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Hayworth, Mr. Holden, Mr. Hoyer, Mr.
Hyde, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Lantos,
Ms. Lee, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. McNulty, Ms. Millender-McDonald, Mr. Moran
of Virginia, Mr. Ney, Mr. Owens, Mr. Pastor, Mr. Payne, Mr. Rangel, Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Sandlin, Mr. Stark, Mr. Towns, and Mr. Waxman)
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Epilepsy Awareness
Month'' and urging funding for epilepsy research and service programs.
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
one in every twelve Americans will suffer at least one seizure;
Whereas 180,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are diagnosed each year, and
three 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 children 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 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'';
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 House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of a ``National Epilepsy
Awareness Month'';
(2) requests the President to issue a proclamation
declaring an annual ``National Epilepsy Awareness Month'';
(3) calls upon the American people to observe ``National
Epilepsy Awareness Month'' with appropriate programs and
activities;
(4) urges an increase in funding for epilepsy research
programs at the National Institutes of Health and at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
(5) urges that initial funding be provided to the Health
Resources and Services Administration of the Department of
Health and Human Services to create demonstration projects to
serve people with epilepsy who may lack access to adequate
medical care for the treatment of such disease.
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