Last week, the U.S. Senate passed without opposition a resolution from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., designating September as “National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month.”
The Senate passed the resolution on Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., was the only co-sponsor.
“The resolution highlights the prevalence of spinal cord injuries and paralysis in the United States and applauds the work of those living with spinal cord injuries. The resolution also commends the families, friends, and the organizations that are committed to improving the quality of life for these individuals while tirelessly working toward better therapies and treatments, with the eventual goal of a cure,” Rubio’s office noted.
Since being elected in 2010, Rubio has brought out this resolution each year “to promote the conversation about the devastation of paralysis and to bring spinal cord injury to the forefront of public awareness.”
“Spinal cord injuries and paralysis affect many Americans, and I am amazed by what those living with such injuries are able to achieve,” Rubio said last week. “One of my goals is to continue promoting the conversation about the devastating effects of paralysis and bring spinal cord injury to the forefront of public awareness. I am proud to have introduced a resolution every year since joining the Senate to highlight National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month and to commend the families, friends, and organizations that are committed to improving the quality of life for these individuals while tirelessly working toward better therapies and treatments, with the eventual goal of a cure.”
The full text of the resolution is below.
Designating September 2020 as ‘‘National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month’’.
Whereas approximately 294,000 individuals in the United States live with spinal cord injuries, which cost society billions of dollars in health care costs and lost wages;
Whereas there are approximately 17,810 new spinal cord injuries in the United States each year;
Whereas more than 42,000 individuals with spinal cord injuries are veterans;
Whereas motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries;
Whereas nearly half of all spinal cord injuries to individuals 30 years of age or younger occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents;
Whereas the average remaining years of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries has not improved significantly since the 1980s;
Whereas there is an urgent need to develop new neuroprotection, pharmacological, and regeneration treatments to reduce, prevent, and reverse paralysis; and
Whereas increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes for individuals living with spinal cord injuries, enhancing the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injuries, and ultimately curing paralysis: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates September 2020 as ‘‘National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month’’;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month;
(3) continues to support research to find better treatments, therapies, and a cure for spinal cord injuries;
(4) supports clinical trials for new therapies that offer promise and hope to individuals living with paralysis; and
(5) commends the dedication of national, regional, and local organizations, researchers, doctors, volunteers, and people across the United States who are working to improve the quality of life of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and their families.
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