SENATE RESOLUTION 18

(By Senators Stollings, Unger, Gaunch, Cline, Prezioso, Takubo, Maroney, Romano, Boso and Plymale)

[Introduced February 22, 2017]

Designating the week of March 5-11, 2017, as MS Awareness Week.

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 reports that in our state more than 3,000 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 more than 70 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 $900 million in groundbreaking research; and

Whereas, Funds raised through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fuel $42.1 million, funding 380 research projects at the best medical centers, universities and other institutions throughout the U. S. 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 West Virginians should support; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Senate recognizes the importance of finding the cause and cure of MS and expresses its appreciation for the dedication that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has shown toward creating a world free of MS; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates the week of March 5-11, 2017, as MS Awareness Week; and, be it

Further Resolved, The Senate encourages all West Virginians 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 Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of MS Awareness Week.