PRINTER'S NO. 1340
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
233
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY FABRIZIO, BAKER, TOOHIL, DiGIROLAMO, DeLUCA,
HENNESSEY, WATSON, MATZIE, R. BROWN, DUSH, DAVIS, SONNEY,
FREEMAN, WARD, LONGIETTI, READSHAW, SCHWEYER, BOBACK,
SCHLOSSBERG, BULLOCK, MARSICO, MILLARD, ROEBUCK, BIZZARRO,
GOODMAN, DEASY, V. BROWN, McNEILL, KIRKLAND, STURLA,
FITZGERALD, ROZZI, HILL-EVANS, EVERETT, MURT, BURNS, KORTZ,
SAINATO, PHILLIPS-HILL, NEILSON, PYLE, HEFFLEY, PASHINSKI AND
SAYLOR, APRIL 12, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 12, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2017 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 that the cause of
Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and
environmental factors, the exact cause of the progression of the
disease is unknown; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to
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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 person's
daily activities and motor functions; 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 which 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
and potential treatment; and
WHEREAS, The community's focus on Parkinson's disease and its
impact on patients' lives offers hope for a better future for
people with Parkinson's disease; and
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WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the
realities of life with Parkinson's disease are needed to 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 2017 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge all residents to support the search for a
cure and assist those individuals and families who deal with
this debilitating disease on a daily basis.
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