At the request of the CFS/FM Support Group of DFW (Dallas & Ft. Worth), the Texas House of Representatives adopted the following resolution declaring May 12th to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Fifteen members of CFS and/or FM support groups from Austin, Lexington, Bryan, San Antonio, College Station and DFW were present and were recognized from the House Floor. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Todd Smith. His staff actually strengthened the language of the initial draft they were given! Many thanks to Rep. Smith and Laura Orean, the staff member who worked so diligently on this.

WHEREAS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are complex illnesses affecting many different body systems and are characterized by neurological, rheumatological, immunological, gastrointestinal, endocrine and cognitive problems; and

WHEREAS, The incapacitating fatigue and numerous other symptoms of CFS and FM can last for months or years and have been known to debilitate patients to the point of qualifying them for Social Security Disability; and

WHEREAS, CFS and FM strike men, women, and children of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups, interrupting education and employment, and causing the accumulation of tremendous medical expenses; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control have shown that CFS affects more than two out of every 1,000 adults, most of whom go undiagnosed, and poses a particular threat to women since more than four out of 1,000 are affected, which is three times the rate of HIV and breast cancer, and one-third the rate of diabetes; and the National Institutes for Health state that FM affects up to six million American; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that education and training of health professionals be encouraged, and that public awareness of these serious health problems be increased; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas Legislature hereby recognize May 12, 1999, as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the State of Texas and encourage its observance across the state.
 
 

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