BILL NUMBER: SCR 16	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  15
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  APRIL 7, 2015
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  APRIL 6, 2015
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 19, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Block
   (Coauthors: Senators Allen, Anderson, Bates, Fuller, Hall,
Hertzberg, Huff, Leno, Monning, Nielsen, Vidak, Wieckowski, and Wolk)

   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Travis Allen, Baker, Brough,
Calderon, Chang, Chávez, Chu, Dodd, Harper, Lackey, Waldron, and
Wood)

                        FEBRUARY 2, 2015

   Relative to Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 16, Block. Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
   This measure would declare the week of March 2, 2015, through
March 8, 2015, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.



   WHEREAS, The week of March 2, 2015, through March 8, 2015, 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 its California chapters; and
   WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of the
central nervous system that affects an estimated 400,000 Americans
across the country, and nearly 200 new cases are diagnosed each week
nationwide; 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 are diagnosed between 20 and 50 years of age, inclusive, and
while studies indicate genetic factors make certain individuals more
susceptible than others, there is no evidence that multiple sclerosis
is directly inherited; 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. Through its
50-state network of chapters, the society serves more than one
million people annually; and
   WHEREAS, The society is the largest private supporter of multiple
sclerosis research in the world, and for more than 55 years it has
funded innovative research and advocated for government support of
important scientific inquiries; and
   WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the California chapters of the
society have been committed to heightening public knowledge and
insight, and are currently planning several major statewide
educational programs to raise awareness about the effects of multiple
sclerosis; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares the week of March
2, 2015, through March 8, 2015, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week,
and that the residents of the State of California are encouraged to
join together in raising awareness and heightening public knowledge
of this debilitating disease; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.