ENGROSSED SENATE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 10	By:	Holt, Adelson, Aldridge, Allen, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Branan, Brecheen, Brinkley, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Crain, David, Eason McIntyre, Ellis, Fields, Ford, Garrison, Halligan, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Rob), Jolley, Justice, Laster, Lerblance, Marlatt, Mazzei, Myers, Newberry, Nichols, Paddack, Reynolds, Rice, Russell, Schulz, Shortey, Simpson, Sparks, Stanislawski, Sykes, Treat, Wilson and Wyrick of the Senate

			and

		McDaniel (Jeannie) of the House

A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the importance of research for multiple sclerosis; encouraging support for efforts to find the cause of and prevention for multiple sclerosis; expressing appreciation for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma; proclaiming March 2011 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease of the central nervous system affecting an estimated 400,000 Americans across the country.  Nationwide, nearly two hundred (200) new cases of multiple sclerosis are diagnosed each week.  Multiple sclerosis generally strikes young adults twenty (20) through forty (40) years of age, but can begin in childhood and attack children in the prime of their lives, leading to suffering and pain and total paralysis in some cases.  The cause and cure for this debilitating disease remain unknown; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma reports that, in Oklahoma, more than 24,000 people are affected directly or indirectly by this devastating disease.  The National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma has been committed throughout the years to heighten public knowledge and insight about this devastating and sometimes crippling disease; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma annually plans major statewide fundraisers and educational programs to raise awareness, provide services, and support research efforts in Oklahoma.  MS Walks are scheduled this year in Lawton on April 9, in Tulsa on April 16, in Oklahoma City on April 30, and in Ardmore on May 21.  "Bike MS: The Mother Road Ride" will start in Tulsa on September 17 and culminate in Oklahoma City on September 18.  In 2010, Oklahomans raised more than One and One-half Million Dollars ($1,500,000.00) to fund research and the programs and services provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature recognizes the importance of research in finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis, a terribly perplexing and painful disease which affects thousands of Oklahomans.
THAT finding the cause of and developing a method of prevention for multiple sclerosis are important tasks that all Americans and Oklahomans should support.
THAT the Oklahoma Legislature expresses its appreciation and admiration for the work that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma has done over the years to heighten the public’s knowledge and insight about multiple sclerosis and their long history of serving and advocating on behalf of Oklahoma citizens who live daily with this debilitating disease.
THAT the Oklahoma Legislature proclaims March 2011 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in the state of Oklahoma and encourages the citizens of this great state to join in the fight to stop this disease.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the President of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Oklahoma.
Adopted by the Senate the 15th day of March, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate

Adopted by the House of Representatives the ____ day of _______, 2011.

	
Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives