R 144

2019 -- H 5846 Enacted 03/13/2019

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 10-16, 2019, TO BE "MS AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, Bennett, Johnston, Casey, and Vella-

Date Introduced: March 13, 2019

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 Rhode Island more than 2,000 people are living with MS, and that the disease

generally strikes people in the prime of life, between ages 20 through 50, and the cause and

course of the often debilitating symptoms of MS remain unknown and no cure currently exists;

and

WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been committed for 73 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, treatments and a cure, and has invested more

than $1 billion in groundbreaking research; and

WHEREAS, Funds raised through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fuel $34

million funding of 320 research projects at the best medical centers, universities and other

institutions throughout the United States and abroad, leading to many breakthroughs in the

treatment of MS; and

WHEREAS, Stopping MS in its tracks, restoring what has been lost, and ending MS

forever is the mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and one that all Americans and

Rhode Islanders should support; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the importance of finding the cause and cure of MS and

expresses its appreciation for the dedication that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Greater

New England Chapter has shown toward creating a world free of MS; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby proclaims March 10-16, 2019, to be “MS

Awareness Week” in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby commends this observance to all of our citizens and

encourages all Rhode Islanders to learn more about multiple sclerosis and what they can do to

support individuals with MS and their families; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mr. Peter A. Galligan, Chairman, National

Board of Directors, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Mr. Robert Garty, Chairman,

National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Greater New England Chapter.

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LC001598

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