79R6492 JNC-D

By:  Cook of Navarro                                              H.R. No. 752



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is a debilitating, painful, and 
incurable neurological disorder of unknown origin that disrupts and 
may end the lives of those who suffer from it; and
	WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease causes diverse symptoms, 
including rigidity, slowness of movement, poor balance, and 
tremors, that lead to an impaired ability to walk, speak, swallow, 
and even breathe, resulting in the tragic combination of an able 
mind and a body that has lost its ability to function; and
	WHEREAS, Currently, there are 1.5 million Americans, 
including many residents of the Lone Star State, who are afflicted 
with this serious malady, and 60,000 more are diagnosed with the 
disease each year; the estimated expenditure in medical treatments, 
disability payments, and lost productivity totals $25 billion 
annually; and
	WHEREAS, Increased education and research are needed to 
develop more treatments, provide additional support programs and 
services to patients, care partners, and families, and ultimately 
find a cure for Parkinson's disease; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize April as Parkinson's Disease 
Awareness Month in Texas and encourage all Texas residents to learn 
more about this devastating illness.