PRINTER'S NO. 2247
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
419
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MURT, DiGIROLAMO, ROEBUCK, SONNEY, READSHAW,
HENNESSEY, HILL-EVANS, SCHLOSSBERG, KORTZ, BIZZARRO, RYAN,
FREEMAN, WILLIAMS, HEFFLEY, SCHMITT, BROWN, MERSKI, MADDEN,
KINSEY, MILLARD, LONGIETTI, YOUNGBLOOD, SANCHEZ, CALTAGIRONE,
MOUL, JOHNSON-HARRELL, DeLUCA, SCHLEGEL CULVER AND SCHWEYER,
JUNE 25, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 25, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of August 2019 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetically
inherited disease affecting the part of the nervous system that
controls voluntary muscle movement; and
WHEREAS, SMA is the leading genetic cause of death of infants
and toddlers, affecting one in every 6,000 to 10,000 children in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, One in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier of
the disease; and
WHEREAS, Among autosomal recessive disorders, SMA is the most
common fatal disease and is second in birth prevalence only to
cystic fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms in the mildest cases of SMA include muscle
weakness, muscle twitching and lack of muscle tone; and
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WHEREAS, In the most severe cases, this rare disorder
interferes with one's ability to sit unsupported and causes
breathing and swallowing difficulties; and
WHEREAS, Early detection is vital to managing symptoms and
preventing SMA from progressing and interfering with one's basic
life functions; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, the United States Food and Drug
Administration approved the first drug treatment for children
and adults with SMA; and
WHEREAS, Improving the length and quality of life for
individuals with SMA starts with awareness; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of August 2019 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
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