SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 47

(By Senators Stollings, D. Hall, Plymale, Prezioso and Williams)

Designating the week of March 2, 2015, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

            Whereas, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease of the central nervous system, affecting 2.3 million people worldwide, and each hour someone is newly diagnosed; and

            Whereas, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Virginia-West Virginia Chapter reports that in West Virginia more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with MS. The disease generally strikes people in the prime of life, between ages 20 through 50, and causes unpredictable effects in which the progression, severity and specific symptoms cannot be foreseen. The cause and cure for this often debilitating disease remain unknown; and

            Whereas, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been committed for more than 69 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, treatment and a cure and has invested more than $868 million in groundbreaking research; and

            Whereas, Funds raised through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society fueled the efforts of nearly 380 research projects globally in 2014 totaling $51.5 million. Research was conducted at the best medical centers, universities and other institutions throughout the United States and abroad. MS research has never been more hopeful than it is today; and

            Whereas, Discovering the cause, finding a cure, and preventing future generations from being diagnosed with MS is an important task that all Americans and West Virginians should support; and

            Whereas, The Senate recognizes the importance of finding the cause and cure of MS, a chronic and often devastating disease, and expresses its appreciation and admiration for the dedication that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Virginia-West Virginia Chapter has shown toward a future free of MS; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate:

            That the Senate hereby designates the week of March 2, 2015, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; and, be it

            Further Resolved, The Senate encourages all West Virginia citizens to take part in the observance of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and 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 Virginia-West Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.