Reps. Lisa Brown, Ball, Terry Brown, Byrnes, Griffin, Robert Jones, Kandrevas, Knollenberg, LeBlanc, Liss, Lori, Marleau, Mayes, Neumann, Pearce, Roberts, Rogers, Bettie Scott, Sheltrown, Smith, Tyler and Warren offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 235.  

            A resolution to recognize March 2010 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of hereditary muscle diseases that cause weakness and progressive degeneration of the human skeletal muscles; and

            Whereas, There are many different forms of muscular dystrophy, which differ in their mode of inheritance, age of onset, severity and pattern of muscles affected; and

            Whereas, Most types of muscular dystrophy are, in fact, multi-system disorders with manifestations in body systems including heart, gastrointestinal and nervous systems, endocrine glands, skin, eyes and other organs; and

            Whereas, The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an organization founded in 1950; and

            Whereas, The MDA combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and the general public; and

            Whereas, MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education; and

            Whereas, MDA is the largest nongovernmental sponsor of neuromuscular disease research; and

            Whereas, More than one million Americans are affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases. About 250,000 have some form of muscular dystrophy; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 2010 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.