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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, May is ALS Awareness Month, and this occasion |
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provides a fitting opportunity to promote better understanding of |
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this medical condition and to foster increased support for targeted |
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research; and |
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WHEREAS, Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, amyotrophic |
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lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative condition |
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that affects motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord, |
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eventually causing muscle weakness and paralysis; as the motor |
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neurons continue to degenerate, people can lose the ability to |
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speak, eat, move, and breathe; and |
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WHEREAS, Most patients who develop ALS are between the ages |
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of 40 and 70, and the average survival time is three to five years; |
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in the United States, approximately 30,000 individuals are affected |
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by the disease, and of these cases, more than 90 percent have no |
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apparent cause; and |
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WHEREAS, While there is not yet a cure for ALS, a number of |
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treatments are available to help alleviate symptoms and prolong the |
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survival of patients, including medications, speech and physical |
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therapy, and nutritional counseling; in addition, devices and |
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equipment such as corrective braces, reach-extenders, and |
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wheelchairs can help with daily activities and improve functional |
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independence; and |
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WHEREAS, The ALS Association of Texas is dedicated to |
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supporting patients and their families through local care programs, |
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advocacy, and research, and each May, the members and volunteers of |
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the association participate in various events to call attention to |
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issues that impact the ALS community; and |
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WHEREAS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a serious and |
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life-threatening disease, and the observance of ALS Awareness Month |
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unites people around the world in their commitment to support the |
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search for a cure and to improve the quality of life for patients; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 2021 as ALS Awareness Month and |
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urge all Texans to learn more about the disease. |
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Jetton |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1086 was adopted by the House on May |
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14, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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