By Naishtat H.R. No. 770 74R12128 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a devastating birth 1-2 defect in which the brain does not recognize hunger and appetite 1-3 normally, and, if left undiagnosed or unmanaged, persons with the 1-4 syndrome often die in their teens or early 20s from kidney or 1-5 pulmonary complications that stem from their morbid obesity; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A complex genetic disorder that was first identified 1-7 in 1956, the syndrome is characterized by short stature, mental 1-8 retardation, learning disabilities, incomplete sexual development, 1-9 characteristic behavior problems, low muscle tone, and an 1-10 involuntary urge to eat constantly that, when coupled with a 1-11 reduced need for calories, leads to obesity; and 1-12 WHEREAS, In 1990, about one in 10,000 people in the United 1-13 States and more than 900 Texans were estimated to have PWS; the 1-14 catastrophic disorder is one of the most common conditions seen in 1-15 genetic clinics in the nation today and is the most common genetic 1-16 cause of obesity that has been identified to date; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association U.S.A. was 1-18 organized in 1975 to heighten public awareness of PWS, to provide 1-19 lifetime advocacy for affected individuals, to identify and develop 1-20 services that meet the needs of those individuals and their 1-21 families, and to increase research efforts to gain a greater 1-22 understanding of this tragic syndrome; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Early diagnosis of PWS within the first year of life 1-24 is growing more common as a result of increased awareness by 2-1 physicians, improved genetic testing, and development of clear 2-2 diagnostic criteria; though there is no known cure for PWS, 2-3 diagnosis of the syndrome during infancy gives parents an 2-4 opportunity to manage their child's diet, thereby avoiding obesity 2-5 and its related problems, to obtain early intervention services, 2-6 and to obtain critical information and support from professionals 2-7 and other families whose lives have been forever altered by a 2-8 diagnosis of PWS; and 2-9 WHEREAS, To this end, the national organization has founded 2-10 chapters encompassing 32 states and has set aside one day each year 2-11 on which to launch programs and other activities designed to 2-12 further the worthy goals of the organization; at this time, the 2-13 members of this chamber wish to join with the Prader-Willi Syndrome 2-14 Association U.S.A. in their efforts to heighten public awareness of 2-15 this devastating disorder; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-17 Legislature hereby recognize May 2, 1995, as Prader-Willi Syndrome 2-18 Awareness Day in Texas and encourage all residents of the Lone Star 2-19 State to take a moment on this day to learn more about PWS and the 2-20 ways in which they can help affected individuals achieve a higher 2-21 quality of life.