SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 449

	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 Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby recognize April as Parkinson's Disease
Awareness Month in Texas and encourage all Texas residents to 
learn more about this devastating illness.
                                                                           Janek




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 22, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate