HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

H8447

2026 -- H 8447
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LC006342
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Newberry, Serpa, Chippendale, Hopkins, Kennedy,
Edwards, Fogarty, Fellela, Ajello, and Solomon

Date Introduced:
April 14, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the
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second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s
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disease; and
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WHEREAS, More than one million people in the United States are currently living with
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Parkinson's Disease. Every six minutes, there is a new Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, and each
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year there are nearly 90,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson's Disease which represents a 50 percent
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increase from previous years. In Rhode Island, one to two thousand people suffer from
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Parkinson's Disease; and
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WHEREAS, Approximately five to ten percent of Parkinson's Disease diagnoses occur
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before the age of 50, with the onset of Parkinson's Disease commonly occurring at the age of 60
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and older; and
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WHEREAS, Although research suggests Parkinson’s results from a combination of
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genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown
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and there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose the disease; and
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WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease vary from person to person and can
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include tremors, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity,
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constipation, skin problems, cognitive problems, dementia, and mood disorders such as
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depression and anxiety; and
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WHEREAS, Currently there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of

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Parkinson’s Disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical
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needs of patients; and
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WHEREAS, Increased efforts and awareness are desperately needed to help expedite
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research efforts for better treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as creating enhanced
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programs and services to help those impacted by Parkinson’s Disease to improve their quality of
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life until a cure is found; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims April of 2026, to be "Parkinson’s Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and
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be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Parkinson Disease Association,
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Rhode Island Chapter.
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LC006342
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