A resolution designating April 2021 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month".

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 174 Designating April 2021 as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES APRIL 22, 2021 Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. THUNE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating April 2021 as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’. Whereas Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neuro- logical disease and the second most common neurodegen- erative disease in the United States; Whereas, although there is inadequate data on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, the disease is esti- mated to affect between 500,000 and 1,000,000 individ- uals in the United States, with that number expected to more than double by 2040; Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parkinson’s disease is the 15th leading cause of death in the United States; Whereas millions of individuals in the United States are greatly impacted by Parkinson’s disease, including the VerDate Sep 11 2014 18:38 Apr 23, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR174.IS SR174 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 174 IS caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals liv- ing with Parkinson’s disease; Whereas research suggests that the cause of Parkinson’s dis- ease is a combination of genetic and environmental fac- tors, but the exact cause of the disease in most individ- uals is still unknown; Whereas, as of March 2021, there is no objective test or bio- marker with which to diagnose Parkinson’s disease; Whereas there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease, and available treat- ments are limited in their ability to address the medical needs of patients and remain effective over time; Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from per- son to person and may include— (1) tremors; (2) slowness of movement and rigidity; (3) problems with gait and balance; (4) disturbances in speech and swallowing; (5) cognitive impairment and dementia; (6) mood disorders; and (7) a variety of other nonmotor symptoms; Whereas volunteers, researchers, caregivers, and medical pro- fessionals are working to improve the quality of life of— (1) individuals living with Parkinson’s disease; and (2) the families of those individuals; and Whereas increased research, education, and community sup- port services are needed— (1) to find more effective treatments; and (2) to provide access to quality care to individuals living with Parkinson’s disease: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 18:38 Apr 23, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR174.IS SR174 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 174 IS (1) designates April 2021 as ‘‘Parkinson’s 1 Awareness Month’’; 2 (2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkinson’s 3 Awareness Month; 4 (3) continues to support research to find better 5 treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease; 6 (4) recognizes the individuals living with Par- 7 kinson’s disease who participate in vital clinical 8 trials to advance the knowledge of the disease; and 9 (5) commends the dedication of the organiza- 10 tions, volunteers, researchers, and millions of indi- 11 viduals across the United States who are working to 12 improve the quality of life of— 13 (A) individuals living with Parkinson’s dis- 14 ease; and 15 (B) the families of those individuals. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 18:38 Apr 23, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR174.IS SR174 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS