PRINTER'S NO. 2083
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
434
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY HELM, MAHER, MAHONEY, COHEN, DONATUCCI, BISHOP,
BAKER, MILLARD, LONGIETTI, KOTIK, MURT, ROZZI, BOBACK,
THOMAS, DUSH, SONNEY, TOOHIL, BENNINGHOFF, KIRKLAND,
HENNESSEY, DiGIROLAMO, V. BROWN, READSHAW, KIM, FARINA,
KINSEY, VEREB, HARHAI, D. COSTA, CALTAGIRONE, SCHWEYER,
O'NEILL, ROSS, MAJOR, WARD, MARSICO, MILNE, PETRI, WATSON,
GILLEN, GINGRICH AND DeLUCA, AUGUST 10, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
AUGUST 10, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 25, 2015, as "International Ataxia
Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 150,000 individuals are affected by
hereditary and sporadic ataxia in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Ataxia is an often fatal degenerative neurological
disorder that causes slow, progressive deterioration of nerve
cells in the spinal cord and cerebellum, affecting balance,
coordination and speech; and
WHEREAS, The initial symptoms of ataxia include clumsiness
and loss of coordination, but as the condition progresses,
ataxia may affect mobility and the ability to communicate and
lead to total physical dependency; and
WHEREAS, Ataxia can strike anyone at any time, without regard
to age, gender or race; and
WHEREAS, Although ataxia is uncommon, recent scientific
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research suggests it is more prevalent than previously thought,
and it may often be misdiagnosed or unrecognized; and
WHEREAS, There is no known treatment or cure for ataxia,
leaving the only defense to be research and prevention through
education; and
WHEREAS, The National Ataxia Foundation is dedicated to
improving the lives of persons affected by ataxia through
support, education and research; and
WHEREAS, The National Ataxia Foundation encourages increased
awareness about ataxia and genetic counseling to help affected
individuals and families make informed decisions about family
planning; and
WHEREAS, The National Ataxia Foundation supports research
projects that are designed to better understand the pathology
and cause of ataxia and helps coordinate research efforts into
the causes and early detection of the disorder; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
September 25, 2015, as "International Ataxia Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania and urge all citizens to honor and support those
individuals with ataxia and their caregivers, in the hope that a
cure will soon be found.
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