[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 766 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 766

   Supporting the designation of October 7, 2023, as National Ostomy 
                             Awareness Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 6, 2023

   Mr. Payne (for himself, Mr. Landsman, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. 
Sewell, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Cleaver, 
    Mr. Tonko, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Wild) submitted the 
                          following resolution

                            October 25, 2023

            Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Supporting the designation of October 7, 2023, as National Ostomy 
                             Awareness Day.

Whereas an ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening in the abdomen 
        that allows for the removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the 
        normal function of digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, 
        colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, 
        and other medical conditions;
Whereas an ostomy is also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic 
        trauma resulting from accidents or from injuries sustained during 
        military service;
Whereas approximately 725,000 to 1,000,000 people in the United States have an 
        ostomy or continent diversion, with approximately 100,000 new ostomy 
        procedures performed each year;
Whereas ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and does not 
        lower life expectancy;
Whereas through the efforts of ostomy support organizations, people needing 
        these surgeries are becoming more aware of the opportunities for 
        education, mutual aid, advocacy, and support that are of such great 
        benefit to them and their families;
Whereas the aim of National Ostomy Awareness Day is to work toward a society 
        where people with ostomies and intestinal or urinary diversions are 
        universally accepted and supported socially, economically, medically, 
        and psychologically;
Whereas October 7, 2023, marks the 13th anniversary of Ostomy Awareness Day, 
        whose theme is ``Ostomies are Life-savers'';
Whereas public education and awareness is vital to ensure those who are living 
        with an ostomy face no discrimination and are accepted as normal, 
        healthy individuals;
Whereas through education and awareness we can erase the myths, stigma, and 
        embarrassment that are sometimes associated with having an ostomy;
Whereas there is a deep commitment to the proper care and advancement of 
        knowledge about bowel and urinary diversion surgery as a result of birth 
        defects, disease, injury, and other digestive disorders; and
Whereas to increase public acceptance of ostomy surgery and continent diversion 
        surgery and to remind those who have had surgery in the United States 
        that by raising awareness they can help the world better understand this 
        life-saving surgery and help people receive better ostomy care: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Ostomy 
        Awareness Day;
            (2) encourages all persons to share with others how 
        ``Ostomies are Life-Savers''; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        this annual day with the appropriate awareness and educational 
        activities.
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