S.Res. 581 (110^th): A resolution designating June 6, 2008, as “National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day”.

Whereas Huntington’s Disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disease that causes total physical and mental deterioration over a 12 to 15 year period;

Whereas each child of a parent with Huntington's Disease has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the Huntington’s Disease gene;

Whereas Huntington’s Disease typically begins in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 45, though onset may occur as early as the age of 2;

Whereas children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely live to adulthood;

Whereas the average lifespan after onset of Huntington’s Disease is 10 to 20 years, and the younger the age of onset, the more rapid the progression of the disease;

Whereas Huntington’s Disease affects 30,000 patients and 200,000 genetically at risk individuals in the United States;

Whereas, since the discovery of the gene that causes Huntington’s Disease in 1993, the pace of Huntington's Disease research has accelerated;

Whereas, although no effective treatment or cure currently exists, scientists and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs will be forthcoming;

Whereas researchers across the Nation are conducting important research projects involving Huntington’s Disease; and

Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness in the general public and the medical community of Huntington’s Disease: Now, therefore, be it