Support Senate Resolution 72

The ALS Association Applauds The United States Senate For Passage of
Lou Gehrig's Disease Resolution

Senator Robert Torricelli Authors ALS Awareness Month Resolution

Calabasas Hills, CA - Late yesterday [April 29], the United States Senate, by official proclamation, voted to designate the month of May in 1999 and 2000 as "National ALS Awareness Month." The resolution, authored by Senator Robert Torricelli, (D-NJ), will help raise national awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal, neuro-degenerative disease that occurs when motor nerve cells cease to function and die. While a person's mind remains sharp and alert, muscle control becomes completely lost. Each year, 5,000 new cases of ALS are diagnosed - over 13 new cases per day. On average, people with ALS survive only two to five years from the time of diagnosis.

"The ALS Association applauds Senator Torricelli for his efforts to conquer ALS," stated Mike Havlicek, President of the ALS Association (ALSA). "We look forward to working with him as he continues his quest to help the ALS community."

Senator Torricelli's resolution will raise national awareness for ALS and highlight a month-long series of ALS-related activities sponsored by the ALS Association, including public service announcements, advocacy efforts and educational campaigns nationwide.

"This resolution raises much-needed awareness for ALS," Torricelli said. "Many know ALS as the disease that struck down Lou Gehrig, but few know the tragic effects ALS still has on its victims. Through increased funding, science has made great strides, but only through raising awareness can we hope to eradicate this devastating disease."

ALS has taken the lives of a number of notable persons including Senator Jacob Javits, actors Michael Zaslow and David Niven, singer/actor Dennis Day, former boxing heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles, jazz musician Charlie Mingus, and of course, baseball legend Lou Gehrig.

Senate Resolution 72

Designating the month of May in 1999 and 2000 as `National ALS Awareness Month'.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 23, 1999

Mr. TORRICELLI submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary :

RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May in 1999 and 2000 as `National ALS Awareness Month'.
Whereas Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by a degeneration of the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord leading to the wasting of muscles, paralysis, and eventual death;

Whereas approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States are afflicted with ALS at any time, with approximately 5,000 new cases appearing each year;

Whereas ALS usually strikes individuals that are 50 years of age or older;

Whereas the life expectancy of an individual with ALS is 3 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis;

Whereas there is no known cause or cure for ALS;

Whereas aggressive treatment of the symptoms of ALS can extend the lives of individuals with the disease; and

Whereas recent advances in ALS research have produced promising leads, many related to shared disease processes that appear to operate in many neuro-degenerative diseases:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates the month of May in 1999 and 2000 as 'National ALS Awareness Month'; and

(2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.