Submitted Resolutions

Floor Speech

SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - April 10, 2008)

SENATE RESOLUTION 510--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH

Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Mr. Inhofe) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

S. Res. 510

Whereas cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases in the United States and one for which there is no known cure;

Whereas the average life expectancy of an individual with cystic fibrosis is 37 years, an improvement from a life expectancy in the 1960s where children did not live long enough to attend elementary school, but still unacceptably short;

Whereas approximately 30,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis, more than half of them children;

Whereas 1 of every 3,500 babies born in the United States is born with cystic fibrosis;

Whereas more than 10,000,000 Americans are unknowing, symptom-free carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene;

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all States consider newborn screening for cystic fibrosis;

Whereas the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation urges all States to implement newborn screening for cystic fibrosis to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment which improves health and life expectancy;

Whereas prompt, aggressive treatment of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis can extend the lives of people who have the disease;

Whereas recent advances in cystic fibrosis research have produced promising leads in gene, protein, and drug therapies beneficial to people who have the disease;

Whereas innovative research is progressing faster and is being conducted more aggressively than ever before, due, in part, to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's establishment of a model clinical trials network;

Whereas, although the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation continues to fund a research pipeline for more than 30 potential therapies and funds a nationwide network of care centers that extend the length and quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis, lives continue to be lost to this disease every day;

Whereas education of the public about cystic fibrosis, including the symptoms of the disease, increases knowledge and understanding of cystic fibrosis and promotes early diagnosis; and

Whereas the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will conduct activities to honor National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May 2008: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) honors the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month;

(2) supports the promotion of further public awareness and understanding of cystic fibrosis;

(3) encourages early diagnosis and access to quality care for people with cystic fibrosis to improve the quality of their lives; and

(4) supports research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis by fostering an enhanced research program through a strong Federal commitment and expanded public-private partnerships.

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