House Concurrent Resolution 61

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AND DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY 2020 AS "HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Huntington's Disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, leading to the deterioration of an individual's physical and mental abilities; and

WHEREAS, symptoms of Huntington's Disease are likened to the simultaneous traits of ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, made manifest in a triad of motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, which include personality changes, mood swings, depression, forgetfulness, impaired judgment, unsteady gait, involuntary movements, slurred speech, swallowing difficulties and significant weight loss; and

WHEREAS, symptoms usually first appear in individuals between 30 and 50 years of age and worsen over a 10-year to 25-year period; and

WHEREAS, the Huntington's Disease Society of America estimates that there are approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 are at risk of inheriting the faulty gene that causes the Disease; and

WHEREAS, Huntington's Disease is known as the quintessential family Disease because every child of a parent with Huntington's Disease has a 50% chance of carrying the faulty gene and developing the disease; and

WHEREAS, Huntington's Disease slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason, eventually rendering the individual totally dependent upon others for his or her care; and

WHEREAS, Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families emotionally, socially and economically, and while medications can alleviate some of the symptoms, no treatment is available to alter the course of Huntington's Disease; and

WHEREAS, lack of knowledge about Huntington's Disease may keep friends and neighbors from offering social and emotional support to the family, fostering unnecessary isolation; and

WHEREAS, in 1993 researchers identified the gene that causes Huntington's Disease and have continued to develop treatments in the hope of ultimately finding a cure; and

WHEREAS, the Huntington's Disease Society of America is dedicated to improving the lives of all individuals affected by Huntington's Disease and has created a network of support through education, advocacy and outreach by committing more than $25 Million to fund research in hopes of finding effective treatments to slow the progression of Huntington's Disease since 1999; and

WHEREAS, there is still a need for greater public awareness of Huntington's Disease and more activity at the national, state and local levels to support affected individuals as well as their families and caregivers; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize

official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby, being attendant to such concern and in full accord with longstanding traditions, declare and designate the month of May 2020, as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month in the State of Mississippi, in conjunction with the observance of National Huntington's Disease Awareness Month, and encourage the citizens of the state to exercise heightened awareness during its observation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of the resolution be furnished to the Huntington's Disease Society of America and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.