HR1001

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all 
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ages, races, and ethnicities; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, More than 20,000 Illinoisans live with multiple 
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sclerosis; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Someone is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 
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every hour of every day; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, It is estimated that 8,000 to 10,000 children and 
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adolescents nationwide are living with multiple sclerosis; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still 
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unknown; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are 
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unpredictable and vary from person to person; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, There is no laboratory test available for multiple 
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sclerosis that precisely defines a diagnosis; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or 
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directly inherited, but studies show that there are genetic 
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factors that indicate certain individuals are susceptible to 
 


 






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the disease; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune 
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system attack affects the myelin in nerve fibers of the central 
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nervous system, damaging or destroying it and replacing it with 
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scar tissue, thereby interfering with or preventing the 
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transmission of nerve signals; and
 
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    WHEREAS, In rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so 
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progressive that its effects are fatal; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater 
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Illinois and its Gateway Area Chapter join with other national, 
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state, and regional multiple sclerosis organizations to 
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celebrate Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during one week in 
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March every year; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis 
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Society, Greater Illinois and its Gateway Area Chapter is to 
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increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater 
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opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for the 
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benefit of the multiple sclerosis community; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week was created to 
 


 






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invite people to join the movement to end multiple sclerosis, 
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encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate their 
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commitment to moving toward a world free of multiple sclerosis, 
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and acknowledge those who have dedicated their time and talent 
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to help promote multiple sclerosis research and programs; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, This year, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is 
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recognized during the week of March 8 through March 14, 2010; 
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therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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show our support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis 
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Awareness Week; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That we encourage the citizens of this State to 
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support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness 
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Week and commend the efforts of all who support its goals and 
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ideals; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That we recognize and reaffirm our commitment to 
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combating multiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about its 
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causes and risks and by promoting new education programs, 
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supporting research, and expanding access to medical 
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treatment; and be it further
 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, That we recognize all people in Illinois living 
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with multiple sclerosis, express our gratitude to the family 
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members and friends who are a source of love and encouragement 
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to them, and salute the health care professionals and medical 
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researchers who provide assistance to those affected by 
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multiple sclerosis and continue to work to find cures and 
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improve treatments.