H.R. No. 1600
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Neuropathy is one of the most common chronic
diseases in the United States today, affecting approximately 20
million Americans, or one out of every 15 people, and an estimated
1.7 million Texans; and
WHEREAS, A disorder of the motor, sensory, and autonomic
nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles, skin, and internal
organs, the condition disrupts the ability of these nerves to
communicate effectively, causing numbness, tingling, pain,
weakness, and loss of coordination; and
WHEREAS, There are over 100 known causes of neuropathy,
including diabetes, autoimmune disease, heredity, nutritional
imbalance, infections, and exposure to toxins; each cause is
associated with a particular set of symptoms, pattern of
development, prognosis, and treatment; and
WHEREAS, Diabetic neuropathy accounts for one-third of all
neuropathy cases and leads to more diabetes-related
hospitalizations than any other complication; some 64 percent of
diabetic neuropathy pain sufferers report that pain interferes with
their daily activities, and 80 percent of them report mobility
problems that make it difficult to exercise, a critical component
of diabetes management; and
WHEREAS, Persons suffering from neuropathy often feel alone
and isolated due to a lack of public understanding of their illness;
in addition to helping to relieve that burden, an increase in
community awareness of the nature of neuropathy can improve the
likelihood that those afflicted with the condition will get
appropriate treatment, including options to deal with the pain
associated with neuropathy, before suffering devastating
complications; public awareness efforts are necessary to inform
people of the steps to take to potentially delay the onset or slow
the progression of neuropathy; and
WHEREAS, The Neuropathy Association, the leading national
nonprofit organization serving the neuropathy community, provides
support and education, advocates for patient interests, and
promotes research into the causes of, and cures for, this
debilitating disease; the Texas chapter of the association, Hands
Feet & Heart, is also striving to further the organization's vital
work within the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Information is crucial to meeting the challenge of
neuropathy, and all Texans are encouraged to learn more about the
disorder's causes, symptoms, and management; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the third full week of May 2011 as
Neuropathy Awareness Week and call on public officials and private
citizens to observe this week with appropriate activities and
programs.
Howard of Travis
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1600 was adopted by the House on May
19, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House