093_HR0374

                                     LRB093 11908 HSS 16289 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, 30,000 to 50,000 Americans have  myositis;  most
 3    are afflicted with inclusion body myositis; and

 4        WHEREAS,  Myositis  consists  of  inflammatory myopathies
 5    which involve the inflammation  and  degeneration  of  muscle
 6    tissues  and  is  thought  to  be  an autoimmune disorder; in
 7    inflammatory myopathies, inflammatory cells surround, invade,
 8    and  destroy  normal  muscle  fibers  as  though  they   were
 9    defective  or foreign to the body; this eventually results in
10    devastating muscle weakness which is usually symmetrical  and
11    develops slowly over weeks to months or even years; and

12        WHEREAS,  Three  types of inflammatory myopathies include
13    dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion  body  myositis;
14    each  is unique in development and treatment; people affected
15    by   myositis   suffer   from   a   debilitating   autoimmune
16    neuromuscular disease; and

17        WHEREAS, The Myositis Association works  to  improve  the
18    lives  of  those  affected  by  inflammatory  myopathies; the
19    organization seeks out persons with inflammatory  myopathies,
20    provides  a  support network, acts as a resource for patients
21    and the medical community and as an  advocate  for  patients,
22    and  promotes  research  into  the cause and treatment of the
23    diseases; and

24        WHEREAS, Myositis Awareness Day  began  with  one  person
25    trying  to raise awareness about myositis in Massachusetts on
26    September 21, 2001; in 2002, four states proclaimed  the  day
27    and  in  2003,  there  are  plans  for recognition in over 20
28    states and four countries; therefore, be it

29        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES   OF   THE
30    NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
31    September 21, 2003 shall be Myositis  Awareness  Day  in  the
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11908 HSS 16289 r
 1    State of Illinois in order to raise awareness about myositis;
 2    and be it further

 3        RESOLVED,  That  a  suitable  copy  of this resolution be
 4    presented to The Myositis Association.