[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1550 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1550

  Designating October 23, 2024, as ``AADC Deficiency Awareness Day''.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 22, 2024

    Mr. Murphy (for himself and Mr. Lynch) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

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                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating October 23, 2024, as ``AADC Deficiency Awareness Day''.

Whereas a rare disease is a disease or disorder that affects a small number of 
        patients, currently defined as a condition that affects fewer than 
        200,000 people in the United States at any given time;
Whereas there are more than 7,000 rare diseases that altogether affect an 
        estimated 25 million to 30 million people in the United States;
Whereas children make up more than half of the estimated 25 million to 35 
        million people in the United States living with a rare disease;
Whereas Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (``AADC'') Deficiency is a genetic 
        neurologic rare disease that severely debilitates a patient's 
        development, motor skills, growth, cognitive and language skills, and 
        limits a patient's life;
Whereas AADC Deficiency results from an inherited genetic disease where patients 
        lack the AADC enzyme required to create dopamine, without which, 
        patients will never achieve motor milestones like holding their heads 
        up, sitting, and standing, nor will they develop the ability to 
        communicate or perform the most basic life functions;
Whereas patients are diagnosed through genetic and other biochemical tests;
Whereas patients suffering from AADC Deficiency often have unexplained low 
        muscle tone and experience other symptoms like developmental delays and 
        involuntary eye movements;
Whereas there have been approximately 200 cases of AADC Deficiency reported 
        worldwide;
Whereas AADC Deficiency is often mistaken for other diseases like cerebral 
        palsy, epilepsy, or autism;
Whereas the Congress can raise awareness of AADC Deficiency in the public and 
        medical community in the United States;
Whereas awareness of AADC Deficiency will help patients who may be experiencing 
        the symptoms of AADC Deficiency recognize their disease and pursue 
        appropriate treatment; and
Whereas improved awareness and education around AADC Deficiency will increase 
        medical representation for individuals suffering from AADC Deficiency: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) designates ``AADC Deficiency Awareness Day''; and
            (2) recognizes the importance of improving awareness and 
        education around AADC Deficiency.
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