Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act of 2013

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Scleroderma Awareness Month this June, I rise today in recognition of the 300,000 Americans with Scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a chronic and disabling connective tissue and rheumatic disorder resulting from an overproduction of collagen in the skin, tissue, and underlying muscle. The word ``scleroderma'' means hardening of the skin, which is often one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. But scleroderma can also affect many other areas of the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal system.

Given the unpredictable progression of the disease, Scleroderma, like many other autoimmune diseases, is difficult for medical practitioners to accurately diagnose and even more difficult to treat as there are currently no disease specific treatments. As we recognize the need for awareness of this troublesome disease, we can and must do more for the thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with this condition each year.

This is why I authored H.R. 1429, the Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act. This bipartisan legislation coordinates and intensifies research and awareness of this disease, prioritizes the development and evaluation of new treatments options, and authorizes Director of NIH to pursue enhanced clinical and basic research related to Scleroderma. I want to thank my colleague, Representative Peter King (NY-02), for leading this bill with me and then 11 cosponsors who have already lent their support to this effort.

I urge my colleagues join us in support of this important legislation providing for needed federal investment in this misunderstood disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Scleroderma Awareness Month.

On behalf of the thousands of patients impacted by this disease in my district and throughout the State of New York, I am honored to join Congresswoman Capps as the

lead co-sponsor of H.R. 1429, the Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act.

Research supported by the National Institutes of Health has led to groundbreaking discoveries in possible treatments and has enhanced the medical community's understanding of the progression of this disease. As physicians and medical researchers have yet to find a cure or a disease-specific treatment, physicians are left offering treatments that minimize the impact of the disease's progression and alleviate patient symptoms. This legislation provides for continued federal investment at the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin diseases in basic and clinical research related to scleroderma.

I rise today to encourage my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 1429 and to participate in the many scleroderma awareness activities organized by patient and community groups in their communities. Please join me in supporting the efforts of the 300,000 patients and their families to bring awareness to this disease and hopefully, one day a cure.