R 144
2015 -- S 0729
Enacted 03/19/2015

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING MARCH 2-8, 2015, AS NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS WEEK IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Gallo, Morgan, Cote, and Lynch
Date Introduced: March 19, 2015

     WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease of the central nervous
system, affecting 2.3 million people worldwide; and
     WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Greater New England Chapter
reports that in our state nearly 2,000 people are diagnosed with MS, and that the disease generally
strikes people in the prime of life, between ages 20 through 50, and causes unpredictable effects
in which the progression, severity and specific symptoms cannot be foreseen, and the cause and
cure for this often debilitating disease remain unknown; and
     WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Greater New England Chapter
has been committed for more than 60 years to a world free of MS, heightening public knowledge
about and insight into the disease; and
     WHEREAS, Since 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been a driving force
of MS research, relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and a cure and has invested more than
$868 million dollars in groundbreaking research; and
     WHEREAS, Funds raised through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fuel the efforts
of nearly 380 research projects globally, totaling $50.2 million dollars annually at the best
medical centers, universities and other institutions throughout the United States and abroad.
Because of this, MS research has never been more hopeful than it is today; and
     WHEREAS, Discovering the cause, finding a cure, and preventing future generations
from being diagnosed with MS is an important task that all Americans and Rhode Islanders
should support; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby recognizes the importance of finding the cause and cure of MS, a chronic and often
devastating disease, and expresses its appreciation and admiration for the dedication that the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Greater New England Chapter has shown toward a future
free of MS; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby joins with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
in recognizing the week of March 2-8, 2015, as "National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" to
enhance the understanding of multiple sclerosis, and to encourage participation in voluntary
activities to support the local programs and services offered by the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society – Greater New England Chapter and the funding of research programs to find a cure for
this disease; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Warwick office of the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society – Greater New England Chapter.
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LC002208
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