Senator Jay Costa: Mr. President, I rise today seeking unanimous consent for resolution designating February 29, 2016 as Rare Disease Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. Mr. President, the last day of February is always recognized as Rare Disease Awareness Day, and since we were not in session on that day, I didn’t want to let the occasion to pass without recognize the importance, and the important day, and more importantly, the Pennsylvania families who are loving and supporting someone with a rare disease.
For many families, Mr. President, their lives have been changed forever by this diagnosis with a rare disease. These diseases are conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 Americans at any given time. And many of these conditions are genetic origin, or have genetic origin, and more than 50 percent of them are diagnosed in our children. Today, Mr. President, my request or recognition of Rare Disease Awareness Day is on their behalf.
Many of these rare diseases are seldom discussed, but that needs to change. The more we raise awareness of these diseases like Pompeii disease, or Crab A disease maybe the sooner we will find a cure. Family, like the Brackbills [phonetic 00:01:12] and their daughter Tory right here in Harrisburg, and the Crab A Foundation are fighting every day towards a cure on behalf of those children. And these are just a few of the examples, Mr. President. These families need our support, and they need our help raising awareness as they work with the medical teams to find effective treatment, and hopefully, and ultimately, a cure.
I’m asking to you, Mr. President, my colleagues join me today, and every year on the last day of February, doing the same. Thank you, Mr. President.
Male: And chair thanks the gentlemen from Alleghany on the adoption of the resolution, all those in favor will signify by saying Aye. Those opposed, no. The Aye’s have it, and the resolution is adopted.