[Pages S8311-S8312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 322--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2002, AS ``NATIONAL
EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH''

Mrs. LINCOLN (for herself, Ms. Colins, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Hutchinson,
and Mr. Fitzgerald) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

S. Res. 322

Whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting
2,300,000 people in the United States;

[[Page S8312]]

Whereas a seizure is a disturbance in the electrical
activity of the brain, and 25,000,000 Americans (1 in every
10) will have at least 1 seizure during their lives;
Whereas 180,000 new cases of seizures and epilepsy are
diagnosed each year, and 3 percent of Americans will have
developed epilepsy by the time they are 75;
Whereas 41 percent of people who currently have epilepsy
experience persistent seizures despite the treatment they are
receiving;
Whereas a survey sponsored by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention shows that the burden of disease for
people with epilepsy is comparable to that experienced by
people with cancer, diabetes, and arthritis;
Whereas epilepsy in older children and adults remains a
formidable barrier to a normal life, affecting education,
employment, marriage, childbearing, and personal fulfillment;
Whereas stigma surrounding epilepsy continues to fuel
discrimination and isolates people with seizure disorders
from the mainstream life;
Whereas in spite of these obstacles, epileptics can live
healthy and productive lives and go on to make significant
contributions to society;
Whereas we must ensure that funding for epilepsy research
programs at the National Institutes of Health, and for
epilepsy programs at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention must continue to increase; and
Whereas we must ensure that people with epilepsy in
underserved and unserved areas of the country have access to
appropriate care, and to this end it is essential that the
epilepsy program at the Health Resources and Services
Administration receive initial funding to create
demonstration projects to improve access to services in those
communities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates November 2002, as ``National Epilepsy
Awareness Month''; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling upon the people of the United States to observe the
month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I would like to submit a
resolution about an important health disorder which affects 2.3 million
Americans and 40,000 people in Arkansas. I am referring to epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder; people with this
disorder may have seizures which may be as brief as a few seconds, or
as traumatic as several minutes and visibly distracting. Several months
ago, I had the opportunity to meet with a young man from Arkansas who
has epilepsy and is a spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation, as part
of their Winning Kids program, representing 300,000 children with this
disease. Additionally, he is a role model for his peers in Arkansas due
to his courage. His name is Bryan Raymond. As he said in a speech to
other children in March, ``We are all different. Some of us hardly ever
have seizures. Some of us have lots and lots of seizures. But we all
want the same things. We want to be busy and happy. We want to go to
school. We want to have friends. We want to play and have fun. We want
other kids to understand what seizures are, and to respect us.'' The
one thing he asked me, and I ask of you is that we teach our children
and our communities about a better understanding about this disease.
School-age children have a better understanding of HIV/AIDS and cancer
than epilepsy. We must educate our children about this disease in order
to allow these patients to thrive.
In addition to the touching conversation I had with Bryan and his
mother earlier this year, this disease is even closer to home for me. A
young woman on my staff is diagnosed with this condition. Amy is here
with me today for several reasons. First, she has provided a good
first-hand account/knowledge of what epilepsy is and how it affects
daily life. Second, she signifies the success which epileptics can
have, like people from every other walk of life, when dealing with
chronic conditions. To that end, this resolution is intended to serve
two goals: to raise awareness about this disease, which in turn affects
perception/stereotypes, and to increase funding for the long-term
research for and care of patients.
Presently, doctors tell their patients that there is no cure for
epilepsy. Rather the solution is long-term medication or surgery. It is
critical that we increase the funding committed to epilepsy. As far as
we have advanced in other areas of medicine, even other neurological
disorders, we must give equal time and resources to a cure for
epilepsy.
I would like to move that we establish the month of November as
National Epilepsy Awareness Month. This is one small step toward the
larger goal of overcoming epilepsy. As with other chronic illnesses,
overcoming epilepsy is achieved in part through perception and part
through science and medicine. Cancer, which was previously stigmatized
to be terminal, is now more candidly discussed among patients and
families and leagues ahead in research. I hope that this will be true
as well with epilepsy.
I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
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SENATE RESOLUTION 323--TO AUTHORIZE TESTIMONY AND REPRESENTATION I
SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL, ET. AL. V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION, ET.
AL. AND CONSOLIDATION CASES

Mr. DASCHLE (for himself and Mr. Lott) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

S. Res. 323

Whereas, in the case of Senator Mitch McConnell, et al. v.
Federal Election Commission, et al., No. 02-CV-582, and
consolidated cases, pending in the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia, notices for the taking of
depositions have been served on Senator Mitch McConnell, who
is a plaintiff, and Senators Olympia Snowe, James Jeffords,
John McCain, and Russell Feingold, who are intervenor-
defendants;
Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(c) and 706(a) of the
Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(c)
and 288e(a), the Senate may direct its counsel to appear as
amicus curiae in the name of the Senate in any legal
proceeding in which the powers and responsibilities of
Congress under the Constitution are placed in issue;
Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United
States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no
evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate
may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from
such control or possession but by permission of the Senate;
Whereas, by Rule VI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no
Senator shall absent himself from the service of the Senate
without leave; and
Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or
in the possession of the Senate may promote the
administration of justice, the Senate will take such action
as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the
privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That, in the case of Senator Mitch McConnell, et
al. v. Federal Election Commission, et al., and consolidated
cases, Senators Mitch McConnell, Olympia Snowe, James
Jeffords, John McCain, and Russell Feingold, and any other
Senator who agrees to participate in this litigation, are
authorized to testify, except concerning matters for which a
privilege should be asserted and when their attendance at the
Senate is necessary for the performance of their legislative
duties.
Sec. 2. That the Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to
appear as amicus curiae in the name of the Senate in the case
of Senator Mitch McConnell, et al. v. Federal Election
Commission, et al., and consolidated cases, the represent the
interests of the Senate in connection with discovery sought
from Senators in these cases.

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