Reps. Hardman, Accavitti, Bieda, Byrum, Clack, Condino, Daniels, Dennis, Ehardt, Farrah, Gillard, Gleason, Jamnick, Kolb, Lipsey, McConico, Minore, Murphy, O'Neil, Phillips, Reeves, Rivet, Sheltrown, Spade, Stallworth, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Woronchak and Waters offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 288.

            A resolution to urge the Department of Community Health and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to promote public awareness of sarcoidosis and to memorialize Congress to increase funding for sarcoidosis research.

            Whereas, Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure that can affect any part of the body.  This disease, which strikes between 20 and 50 of every 100,000 individuals in our country, most often afflicts victims between the ages of 20 and 40, with African Americans affected at least 10 times more often than other ethnic groups in the United States; and

            Whereas, A disease that causes inflammation, sarcoidosis often affects several areas of the body simultaneously.  Between 10 to 20 percent of individuals stricken with sarcoidosis eventually develop serious disabling conditions caused by damage to vital organs, such as the lungs, heart, and central nervous system; and

            Whereas, In our state and across the United States, individuals with sarcoidosis and their family members are seeking treatment and support services to assist in controlling the effects of sarcoidosis.  Our health care community can play a major part in combating this condition through increased efforts to diagnose the disease in its earliest possible stages.  The public health community can also play a key role by promoting public awareness and supporting research for better treatment options and a cure; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Department of Community Health and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to promote public awareness of sarcoidosis and memorialize Congress to increase funding for sarcoidosis research; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Department of Community Health, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.