ENROLLED Page 1 of 2 Regular Session, 2014 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 61 BY REPRESENTATIVE BARROW A RESOLUTION To recognize the month of April as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in Louisiana. WHEREAS, sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ in the body and causes heightened immunity, which means that a person's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body's own tissues; and WHEREAS, the classic feature of sarcoidosis is the formation of granulomas, microscopic clumps of inflammatory cells that group together; and WHEREAS, sarcoidosis can affect people of any age, race, and gender but is most prevalent among adults between the ages of twenty and forty, in African Americans and people of European, particularly Scandinavian, descent; and WHEREAS, the mission of The Sarcoidosis Awareness Foundation of Louisiana is to educate, raise awareness, and raise funds to promote research to find the cause, cure, and new medications to aid those suffering from sarcoidosis; and WHEREAS, the foundation provides support to families, friends, and caregivers through awareness, education, emotional support, and understanding; and WHEREAS, the foundation also provides mutual sharing of experiences, discussion of feelings, and sharing of coping strategies and encouragement, and supports research to find the cure and prevention that will improve the quality of life for those affected by sarcoidosis; and WHEREAS, during the entire month of April the citizens of Louisiana are encouraged to learn about the causes and effects of sarcoidosis. ENROLLEDHR NO. 61 Page 2 of 2 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize the month of April as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in Louisiana. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Rodney K. Reese, Founder and CEO of The Sarcoidosis Awareness Foundation of Louisiana, Inc. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES