A resolution designating March 25, 2008, as "National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day".

Mr. President, I am proud to submit, along with Senator Specter, this resolution declaring March 25 as National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. With this resolution, it is my hope that we can increase education and public awareness about cerebral palsy among the general public and the medical community.

Cerebral palsy, commonly referred to as CP, is not one disorder but many. It includes any number of neurological disorders that may appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and the muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture. CP is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development, or before or during birth or shortly thereafter.

Although most children with CP are born with it, it is often not detected until months or years later. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 10,000 babies will develop cerebral palsy each year in the United States. According to the March of Dimes, about 2 to 3 children per 1,000 have cerebral palsy.

An estimated 800,000 people in the United States have CP. The average lifetime cost of cerebral palsy is estimated at nearly $1.5 million. This includes expenses associated with additional doctor visits, speech and physical therapy, surgery, prescription drugs, transportation, emergency room visits, residential care, and other needed expenses. Children with cerebral palsy need much more attention than other children do. They have special needs for movement, interaction, and communication and require daily assistance and therapy. Many times, parents do not know where to turn.

Clearly, children and families affected by cerebral palsy need our help, our understanding, and resources for research and treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released information showing that the incidence of cerebral palsy is increasing and the rate is now about 1 in 278 children. While we presently have no cure for cerebral palsy, we do have treatments that will do much to improve a child's abilities to live the fullest life possible. Most children with CP have the capacity for intellectual and emotional development, sometimes far beyond what others may expect of them. Life may be more challenging and stressful, but that should not prevent these children from getting all the help and resources we can offer them and their families.

Scientists and researchers are hopeful that we will achieve a breakthrough in treating cerebral palsy. But to do so, we must make this disorder a priority in our research and medical communities.

Every child and adult with cerebral palsy faces unique challenges and their treatment and therapy must be tailored to meet their own unique needs. But they do have one thing in common--they all share an intrinsic value and worth as human beings and children of God, equal to the value and worth of any other human being on this Earth. Many times, individuals with disabilities in one area have great gifts in other areas. With loving attention and care--and with more research into treatments and assistive resources--individuals with cerebral palsy can access their own unique gifts and full potential. Increasing public awareness about CP can help the general public to understand the contributions such individuals have to make to their families, communities and our society at large.

It is my fervent hope that this resolution will help Americans to understand and recognize the importance of assisting our fellow citizens who have cerebral palsy, of providing support for their family members and research dollars for foundations and leading Government agencies.

Mr. President, I have sought recognition today to offer a resolution to designate March 25, 2008, as National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.

Cerebral palsy is a group of chronic, neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development; before, during or shortly after birth; or during infancy. The top two risk factors for the disorders are premature births and multiple births, and despite the introductions of modern prenatal testing, improved obstetric care, and newborn intensive care technologies, the rate of incidence has increased in the United States. These disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves but, instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain.

Cerebral palsy currently affects children at a rate of 1 in 278 and an estimated 800,000 Americans. The majority of children who have cerebral palsy are born with it, rather than developing the disorder over time; however, it may not be detected for months or years. Over seventy-five percent of individuals with cerebral palsy also have one or more additional developmental disability including epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism and visual impairments or blindness. The disorders are not progressive and non-communicable.

Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. There are treatments, however, which can serve to alleviate some of the symptoms. Treatments now include physical and occupational therapy; speech therapy; drugs to control seizures, relax muscle spasms, and alleviate pain; surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities or release tight muscles; braces and other orthotic devices; wheelchairs and rolling walkers; and communication aids such as computers with attached voice synthesizers.

It is essential that more research be conducted on ways in which to prevent and treat cerebral palsy. As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, I led the effort to double funding for the National Institutes of Health, NIH. Funding for the NIH has increased from $11.3 billion in fiscal year 1995 to $29.2 billion in fiscal year 2008. In 2007, the NIH provided $16 million for cerebral palsy research, which is a $4.5 million increase over 2000, when the NIH provided $11.5 million. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, recently conducted a study on the prevalence rates of cerebral palsy across the nation and found

the rates to be much higher than originally expected. This report will help the CDC to provide a more comprehensive picture of cerebral palsy and advance efforts to provide better services for these children.

Raising awareness of cerebral palsy is integral in the fight against this debilitating condition. I encourage my colleagues to work with Senator Casey and me to designate March 25, 2008 as ``National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.''

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 484 and that the Senate now proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table.