Supporting the goals and ideals of National Celiac Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

Whereas celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects 1 of every 133 people in the United States;

Whereas research indicates that there are approximately 2,500,000 people with celiac disease in the United States, yet only approximately 80,000 of those have been diagnosed;

Whereas approximately 1 in 22 first-degree relatives of people diagnosed with celiac disease will also be diagnosed with celiac disease;

Whereas the average timeframe for diagnosing celiac disease in the United States is 11 years from the original onset of symptoms;

Whereas celiac disease affects equal percentages of men and women;

Whereas celiac disease may have severe and varied detrimental effects on the body, and the healthcare costs associated with celiac disease are unknown;

Whereas people with celiac disease tend to have other autoimmune diseases as well;

Whereas the only known treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet;

Whereas increased recognition and awareness of celiac disease will have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of people with celiac disease; and

Whereas the Celiac Disease Foundation has designated May as National Celiac Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it