By Smith                                               H.R. No. 705
         76R12831 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     Groups represented here today as an expression of the sentiment of
 2-8     the Texas House of Representatives.