House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2039

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

proclaiming March 7 through 13, 2016 as Multiple sclerosis Awareness Week in arizona.

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and often devastating neurological disease of the central nervous system that affects at least 2.3 million people worldwide; and

Whereas, the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that this state serves more than 8,000 individuals who have been diagnosed with MS, affecting 40,000 family members; and

Whereas, MS generally strikes people in the prime of life, between the ages of 20 and 50; and

Whereas, MS generally causes unpredictable effects, and the progression, severity and specific symptoms of each case cannot be foreseen; and

Whereas, the cause and cure for this often debilitating disease remain unknown; and

Whereas, for more than 65 years, the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been committed to creating a world free of MS by heightening public knowledge about and insight into the disease while mobilizing people and resources so that those affected by MS can live their best lives; and

Whereas, the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society continues to work to stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever; and

Whereas, since 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been a driving force of MS research, relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and a cure, and has invested more than $920 million in groundbreaking research; and

Whereas, monies raised through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, totaling nearly $54 million annually, fuel the efforts of more than 380 research projects globally at the best medical centers and universities and at other institutions throughout the United States and abroad.  Because of this, MS research has never been more hopeful than it is today; and

Whereas, discovering the cause, finding a cure and preventing future generations from being diagnosed with MS are important tasks that all Americans and Arizonans should support.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the individuals and their families who have been impacted by MS and acknowledge that they are great assets to this state.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature support the men, women and families of all people who have been diagnosed with MS and other neurological diseases.

3.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the importance of finding the cause of and cure for MS and express their appreciation for the dedication that the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its members have shown toward a MS-free future.

4.  That the Members of the Legislature proclaim March 7 through 13, 2016 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in Arizona and encourage all citizens to learn more about MS and what they can do to support individuals with the disease and their families.