119-hres449

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 449 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 449

 Supports the designation of ``ALS Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 29, 2025

 Mr. Crow (for himself, Mr. Calvert, Ms. Sewell, and Mr. Fitzpatrick) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
 on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Supports the designation of ``ALS Awareness Month''.

Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (referred to in this preamble as ``ALS'') 
 is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in 
 the brain and the spinal cord;
Whereas the life expectancy for an individual with ALS is between 2 and 5 years 
 after the date on which the individual receives an ALS diagnosis;
Whereas ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, gender, or 
 socioeconomic boundaries;
Whereas ALS may affect any individual in any location;
Whereas the cause of ALS is unknown in up to 90 percent of cases;
Whereas approximately 10 percent of cases have a strong known genetic driver;
Whereas, on average, the period between the date on which an individual first 
 experiences symptoms of ALS and the date on which the individual is 
 diagnosed with ALS is more than 1 year;
Whereas the onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or stiffness, and the 
 progression of ALS results in the further weakening, wasting, and 
 paralysis of--

    (1) the muscles of the limbs and trunk; and

    (2) the muscles that control vital functions, such as speech, 
swallowing, and breathing;

Whereas ALS can strike individuals of any age but predominantly strikes adults;
Whereas it is estimated that tens of thousands of individuals in the United 
 States have ALS at any given time;
Whereas, based on studies of the population of the United States, more than 
 5,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, 
 and 15 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each day;
Whereas every 90 minutes an individual is diagnosed with ALS, and an individual 
 dies from ALS;
Whereas the majority of individuals with ALS die of respiratory failure;
Whereas military veterans are more likely to be diagnosed with ALS than those 
 with no history of military service;
Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, there is no cure for 
 ALS;
Whereas the spouses, children, and family members of individuals living with ALS 
 provide support to those individuals with love, day-to-day care, and 
 more; and
Whereas an individual with ALS, and the caregivers of such an individual, can be 
 required to bear significant costs for medical care, equipment, and home 
 care services for the individual as the disease progresses: Now, 
 therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the designation of ``ALS Awareness Month'';

    (2) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
 to ensuring people with ALS have access to effective treatments 
 as soon as possible and identifying risk factors and causes of 
 ALS to prevent new cases;

    (3) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
 to empowering people with ALS to engage with the world in the 
 way they want;

    (4) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
 to reducing physical, emotional, and financial burdens of 
 living with ALS;

    (5) affirms the dedication of the House of Representatives 
 to ensuring all people with ALS and their caregivers receive 
 high-quality services and supports that benefit them; and

    (6) commends the dedication of the family members, friends, 
 organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across 
 the United States that are working to improve the quality and 
 length of life of ALS patients and the development of 
 treatments and cures that reach patients as soon as possible.
 <all>