1Recognizing the importance of finding the cause and cure for
2multiple sclerosis; expressing appreciation to the
3Pennsylvania chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis
4Society for their work; and recognizing the week of March 11
5through 17, 2013, as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" in
6Pennsylvania.

7WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of the
8central nervous system, affecting an estimated 400,000
9Americans, and nearly 200 new cases of multiple sclerosis are
10being diagnosed each week nationwide; and

11WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania chapters of the National Multiple
12Sclerosis Society (NMSS) report that in this Commonwealth more
13than 19,000 people are affected by this devastating disease, the
14fifth highest incident rate in the country; and

15WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis generally strikes young adults 20
16through 50 years of age, attacking them in the prime of their
17lives, and some of these young adults diagnosed with multiple
18sclerosis experience tremendous suffering and pain, leading to
19total paralysis in some cases, and the cause and cure for this
20debilitating disease remain unknown; and

1WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania chapters of the National Multiple
2Sclerosis Society have been committed throughout the years to
3heightening public knowledge and insight about this devastating
4and crippling disease, and the chapters are currently planning
5several major Statewide fundraisers and educational programs and
6are providing direct services in order to raise awareness about
7the effects of multiple sclerosis; and

8WHEREAS, Finding the cause and developing a method of
9prevention for multiple sclerosis is an important task that all
10Pennsylvanians should support; therefore be it

11RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the importance of finding
12the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis, a terribly perplexing
13and painful disease which affects hundreds of thousands of
14Americans, including many Pennsylvanians; and be it further

15RESOLVED, That the Senate express its appreciation and
16admiration for the major work that the National Multiple
17Sclerosis Society has done over the years to heighten the
18public's knowledge and insight about this debilitating disease;
19and be it further

20RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the week of March 11
21through 17, 2013, as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" in
22Pennsylvania and encourage the citizens of this great State to
23join in the fight to end this devastating disease.