A resolution designating September 2020 as "National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month".

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 698 Designating September 2020 as ‘‘National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Ms. BALDWIN) submitted the following resolution; which considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating September 2020 as ‘‘National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month’’. Whereas approximately 294,000 individuals in the United States live with spinal cord injuries, which cost society billions of dollars in health care costs and lost wages; Whereas there are approximately 17,810 new spinal cord in- juries in the United States each year; Whereas more than 42,000 individuals with spinal cord inju- ries are veterans; Whereas motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spi- nal cord injuries; Whereas nearly half of all spinal cord injuries to individuals 30 years of age or younger occur as a result of motor ve- hicle accidents; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:58 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR698.ATS SR698 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 698 ATS Whereas the average remaining years of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries has not improved signifi- cantly since the 1980s; Whereas there is an urgent need to develop new neuroprotection, pharmacological, and regeneration treat- ments to reduce, prevent, and reverse paralysis; and Whereas increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes for individuals living with spinal cord injuries, enhancing the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injuries, and ultimately cur- ing paralysis: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates September 2020 as ‘‘National 2 Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month’’; 3 (2) supports the goals and ideals of National 4 Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month; 5 (3) continues to support research to find better 6 treatments, therapies, and a cure for spinal cord in- 7 juries; 8 (4) supports clinical trials for new therapies 9 that offer promise and hope to individuals living 10 with paralysis; and 11 (5) commends the dedication of national, re- 12 gional, and local organizations, researchers, doctors, 13 volunteers, and people across the United States who 14 are working to improve the quality of life of individ- 15 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:58 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR698.ATS SR698 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 698 ATS uals living with spinal cord injuries and their fami- 1 lies. 2 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:58 Sep 17, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR698.ATS SR698 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS