By Smith H.R. No. 595 76R10075 JBR-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM) 1-2 are complex illnesses affecting many different body systems and are 1-3 characterized by neurological, rheumatological, immunological, 1-4 gastrointestinal, endocrine, and cognitive problems; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The incapacitating fatigue and numerous other 1-6 symptoms of CFS and FM can last for months or years and have been 1-7 known to debilitate patients to the point of qualifying them for 1-8 Social Security disability; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia strike 1-10 men, women, and children of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and 1-11 socioeconomic groups, interrupting education and employment, 1-12 removing the enjoyment from life, and causing the accumulation of 1-13 tremendous medical expenses; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control have shown that CFS 1-15 affects more than two out of every 1,000 adults, most of whom go 1-16 undiagnosed, and poses a particular threat to women since more than 1-17 four out of 1,000 are affected, which is three times the rate of 1-18 HIV and breast cancer, and one-third the rate of diabetes, and the 1-19 National Institutes for Health state that FM affects up to six 1-20 million Americans; and 1-21 WHEREAS, It is imperative that education and training of 1-22 health professionals regarding CFS and FM be expanded, that further 1-23 research be encouraged, and that public awareness of these serious 1-24 health problems be increased; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-2 Legislature hereby recognize May 12, 1999, as Chronic Fatigue 2-3 Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the State of Texas and 2-4 encourage its observance across the state; and, be it further 2-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-6 prepared for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Support 2-7 Group of Dallas-Fort Worth as an expression of the sentiment of the 2-8 Texas House of Representatives.