CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 34

Introduced by Assembly Member Luz Rivas
(Coauthors: Assembly Members McCarty and Rendon)

February 24, 2021

Relative to Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 34, as introduced, Luz Rivas. Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
This measure would declare the week of March 7, 2021, through March 13, 2021, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and would encourage residents of the State of California to join together in raising awareness and heightening public knowledge of this debilitating disease.
Fiscal Committee: NO  
WHEREAS, The week of March 7, 2021, through March 13, 2021, has been declared Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in recognition of the importance of finding the cause of, and a cure for, multiple sclerosis and to express appreciation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; and
WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of the central nervous system that affects an estimated 1,000,000 Americans across the country with nearly 200 new cases diagnosed each week; and
WHEREAS, More than 40,000 people in California are affected by this devastating disease; and
WHEREAS, Twice as many women as men have multiple sclerosis, and most people are diagnosed between 20 and 50 years of age; and
WHEREAS, While there is no evidence that multiple sclerosis is directly inherited, studies indicate genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others; and
WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, founded in 1946, funds more research, offers more services for people with multiple sclerosis, and provides more professional education programs than any other multiple sclerosis organization in the world; and
WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the largest private supporter of multiple sclerosis research in the world and, for 75 years, it has funded innovative research and advocated for government support of important scientific inquiries; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been committed to heightening public knowledge and insight, and is currently planning several major statewide educational programs to raise awareness about the effects of multiple sclerosis; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the week of March 7, 2021, through March 13, 2021, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and encourages the residents of the State of California to join together in raising awareness and heightening public knowledge of this debilitating disease; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.