[First Reprint]

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 63

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

208th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 1998

Sponsored by:

Senator LEONARD T. CONNORS, JR.

District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)

Senator MARTHA W. BARK

District 8 (Atlantic, Burlington and Camden)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Singer

SYNOPSIS

    Memorializes Congress to enact H.R. 3795 of 1998, concerning Lyme disease research.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

    As reported by the Senate Health Committee on November 23, 1998, with amendments.

A Concurrent Resolution memorializing Congress to enact H.R. 3795 ¹of 1998¹, concerning Lyme disease research.

Whereas, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is spread by certain arthropods, primarily ticks, and is one of the fastest growing public health problems in New Jersey; and

Whereas, If untreated, Lyme disease, in its later stages, can result in neurological disorders, including, but not limited to, chronic and severe fatigue, encephalitis, meningitis, memory loss, dementia and seizures; severe arthritis; cardiac dysfunction; vision loss, gastrointestinal disorders, paralysis, strokes and death; and

Whereas, The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Lyme disease continues to be a rapidly emerging infectious disease, representing the most common tick-borne illness in the nation; and

Whereas, New Jersey has an estimated 13,000 of the country's 113,000 reported Lyme disease patients with many of those infected living in Monmouth county; and

Whereas, The incidence of Lyme disease continues to increase in some endemic areas and has emerged as a significant threat to public health in the northeastern United States, which, along with Wisconsin, accounts for 90% of the nationally reported cases; and

Whereas, H.R. 3795 ¹of 1998¹, sponsored by Congressman Christopher Smith, calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, along with other agencies, to develop a five-year action plan to advance the treatment of and cure for Lyme disease. The legislation would also help in establishing a coordinated federal effort in Lyme disease research and education; and

Whereas, It is the obligation of the federal government to mount a full-scale effort which will bring relief to the thousands of individuals who suffer from this disease, many of them children; H.R. 3795 ¹of 1998¹ would help by fostering interagency coordination and creating a framework within which the government can launch a comprehensive effort in finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for Lyme disease; now, therefore;

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey(the General Assembly concurring):

    1. The Congress of the United States is respectfully memorialized to enact H.R. 3795 ¹of 1998¹, which requires ¹[the]¹ Secretary of Health and Human Services, along with other agencies, to develop a five-year action plan to advance the treatment of and cure for Lyme disease.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the presiding officers of the Congress of the United States and each member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.