PRINTER'S NO. 3147
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
804
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FABRIZIO, FARINA, MACKENZIE, BENNINGHOFF, DUSH,
SONNEY, FREEMAN, YOUNGBLOOD, KIRKLAND, VEREB, DONATUCCI,
SCHLOSSBERG, R. BROWN, BAKER, READSHAW, McNEILL, PASHINSKI,
BOBACK, DRISCOLL, TOOHIL, MATZIE, CALTAGIRONE, KILLION,
GOODMAN, MILLARD, GIBBONS, THOMAS, LONGIETTI, BIZZARRO,
O'NEILL, ROSS, PICKETT, MAJOR, HEFFLEY, MARSICO, HARHART,
NEILSON, SCHLEGEL CULVER, V. BROWN, ROZZI, MURT, WARD,
WHEELAND, SCHREIBER, DiGIROLAMO, A. HARRIS, O'BRIEN, WATSON,
PHILLIPS-HILL, EVERETT, OBERLANDER, MILNE, PAYNE, GINGRICH,
MAHONEY, HENNESSEY, BURNS, HARKINS, B. MILLER, DEAN,
D. COSTA, KINSEY, KAVULICH, KORTZ, KIM, CUTLER, MOUL,
GODSHALL, DeLUCA AND SAINATO, APRIL 11, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 11, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2016 as "Parkinson's Disease
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease impacts 1 million people in the
United States and is expected to rise commensurately with
increasing life expectancy with projections estimated to double
the prevalence by 2030; and
WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is the second most common
progressive neurodegenerative condition in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Although research suggests the cause of Parkinson's
disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors,
the exact cause of the progression of the disease is still
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unknown; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to
person and may include tremors, rigidity, difficulty with
balance, swallowing and speaking, cognitive problems, dementia,
mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and sleep
disruptions, all of which can significantly affect the patient's
daily activities and motor function; and
WHEREAS, Life expectancy is reduced for all onset ages, with
disease progression leading to severe disability and possible
confinement to a wheelchair or bed; and
WHEREAS, Although treatments are initially effective in
treating symptoms, 50% to 90% of patients develop motor
complications, such as "wearing-off," early-morning akinesia,
delayed response, suboptimal response or no response, freezing
episodes and dyskinesia; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure, therapy or drug to halt the
progression of Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's
Action Network and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation are
nonprofit organizations; and
WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's
Action Network and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation have
joined together to promote Parkinson's disease awareness and
support programs to improve education, knowledge, research and
treatment of the condition; and
WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's
Action Network and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation are urging
patients and their supporters, health care providers and the
general public to share the facts about Parkinson's disease and
their ever-growing awareness about the etiology of this disorder
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and potential treatment; and
WHEREAS, The community's focus on Parkinson's disease and its
impact on patients' lives will help give hope for a better
future for people with Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the
realities of life with Parkinson's disease are needed to help
find more effective treatments or a cure for Parkinson's
disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of April 2016 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge all of our residents to support the search
for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal
with this disabling disease on a daily basis.
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