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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Every year, approximately 90,000 Americans are |
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diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder |
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that causes a progressive decline in motor function and is often |
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accompanied by other life-changing symptoms; and |
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WHEREAS, Patients with Parkinson's disease may experience |
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tremors, slowed movements, rigid muscles, impaired posture and |
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balance, and difficulties with actions such as speaking and |
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writing; these symptoms vary in their severity from person to |
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person and become worse as the disorder progresses; in many cases, |
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patients also suffer from depression, chronic pain, and sleep |
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disorders, and in advanced stages, some experience dementia and |
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psychosis; and |
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WHEREAS, Currently, nearly one million individuals in the |
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United States are suffering from Parkinson's disease caused by the |
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loss of the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine; research |
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from Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates that only about 15 percent of |
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Parkinson's disease cases derive from genetics passed down from |
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parent to child; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and |
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Prevention, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of death |
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in the United States; it also greatly impacts millions of Americans |
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who are caregivers, family members, and friends of affected |
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individuals, and the annual economic burden of Parkinson's disease |
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is estimated to be as much as $52 billion in direct and indirect |
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costs; and |
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WHEREAS, Because there is no known cure for Parkinson's |
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disease, medical care is currently aimed at lessening the symptoms, |
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slowing the disease's progression, and helping patients achieve the |
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best quality of life possible; some research has demonstrated that |
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regular exercise can slow or even reverse the effects of the |
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disease; and |
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WHEREAS, Every April, Parkinson's Awareness Month serves as a |
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means of focusing attention on the disease and promoting research |
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into new treatments and potential cures; one organization taking |
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part in this campaign is Power for Parkinson's, a Texas-based |
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nonprofit that has been instrumental in raising awareness and |
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advocating in behalf of people affected by Parkinson's disease; |
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established in 2013, the organization offers free in-person and |
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online fitness, dance, and singing classes for patients and their |
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care partners, and it provides a wide range of informative |
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resources such as support groups, workshops with experts, and |
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social events; this year, it is hosting an event on April 15 to |
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commemorate the 10th anniversary of its founding; and |
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WHEREAS, As the worldwide incidence of Parkinson's disease |
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continues to rise at alarming rates, with the disease expected to |
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affect twice as many people by 2040, the search for a cure is |
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becoming an increasingly urgent priority, and Power for Parkinson's |
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is to be commended for its efforts to address this devastating |
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condition; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 2023 as Parkinson's Awareness |
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Month and honor Power for Parkinson's on the occasion of its 10th |
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anniversary; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |