Bill Text: IL HR0342 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Declares August 2019 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month" in the State of Illinois.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-30 - Resolution Adopted [HR0342 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0342-Introduced.html

---

HR0342 LRB101 12284 ALS 60045 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives wishes to
raise awareness surrounding the rare disease of Spinal Muscular
Atrophy; and
WHEREAS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a degenerative,
genetic neurological condition that affects and prevents
motor-control neurons from sending signals from the central
nervous system to the body's muscles that, in turn, causes the
loss of muscle control and ultimately muscle wasting; and
WHEREAS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare genetic
neuromuscular disease; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, an estimated one in 11,000
babies are born with spinal muscular atrophy; and
WHEREAS, There are four types of spinal muscular atrophy,
the most severe of which may require a ventilator and feeding
tubes; and
WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy affects everyone
differently, and symptoms can vary greatly according to the age
of onset and the severity of the disease; and

HR0342 - 2 - LRB101 12284 ALS 60045 r
WHEREAS, Those who suffer from spinal muscular atrophy have
normally developed brains and are bright, sensitive, and full
of life despite their diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, Unlike many other rare neuromuscular diseases,
there is a clear understanding of the specific genetic cause of
spinal muscular atrophy; and
WHEREAS, Ongoing research offers the promise that a cure
for spinal muscular atrophy may one day be found; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness of spinal muscular atrophy
will lead to increased knowledge and increased support for both
disease research and the families affected by the disease;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we declare August 2019 as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness
Month in the State of Illinois, and we encourage continuing
research on Spinal Muscular Atrophy and community support for
those affected with the disease.