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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, |
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debilitating disease of the central nervous system in which the |
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flow of information between the brain and body is interrupted; and |
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WHEREAS, Every hour of every day, someone in the United |
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States is diagnosed with MS; often first detected in individuals |
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ages 20 through 50, it is the most common neurological disease |
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leading to disability in young adults; MS affects an estimated 2.5 |
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million people worldwide, including 400,000 in the United States |
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and more than 20,000 in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Lone Star |
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is a community of Texans who are committed to doing something about |
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MS now; they support programs and services to enhance the lives of |
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people with MS, raise funds and awareness through Bike MS and Walk |
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MS events, and invest in research toward a cure for the disease; and |
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WHEREAS, In partnership with the Office of Public Insurance |
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Counsel and the Texas Department of Insurance, the Lone Star group |
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was instrumental in the recent adoption of a statewide ban on |
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discretionary clauses in life, health, and disability insurance |
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policies, and this action will help protect Texans living with MS as |
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well as all Texas consumers; and |
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WHEREAS, Though much still remains to be done, the work of the |
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National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the other organizations and |
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institutions working in behalf of those with MS are helping to |
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create a dynamic movement with the ultimate goal of achieving a |
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world free of MS; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 14 through 20, 2011, as Multiple |
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Sclerosis Awareness Week in Texas and encourage efforts to inform |
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Texans about MS and MS services. |