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H8563
2026 -- H 8563
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LC006038
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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 MAY 2026, TO BE "ALS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF
RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representatives Felix, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Kennedy,
Ajello, Phillips, Shallcross Smith, Boylan, and Hopkins
Date Introduced:
May 19, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), known by many as Lou Gehrig's
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disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease in which a person's brain loses
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connection with the muscles, slowly taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually
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breathe; and
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WHEREAS, An estimated 30,000 individuals in the United States are afflicted with ALS
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at any given time, with approximately 5,600 people diagnosed each year, and over 352,000
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people affected worldwide annually; and
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WHEREAS, Approximately 15 new cases of ALS are diagnosed every day, and every 90
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minutes someone loses their battle with the disease; and
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WHEREAS, On average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive only two to five years
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from the time of diagnosis; and
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WHEREAS, ALS has no cure and can strike anyone regardless of race, sex, age, or
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ethnicity; and
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WHEREAS, Securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and
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communication technologies is of vital importance to people living with ALS; and
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WHEREAS, Clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing
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quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS; and
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WHEREAS, Persons who have served in the military are approximately twice as likely to
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develop ALS and die from the disease than those with no history of military service; and
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WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-
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connected disease; and
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WHEREAS, The ALS Association, as the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research
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globally, has committed over $162 million to support nearly 600 projects across the United States
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and 20 other countries. The Association's commitment to accelerating the pace of discovery
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remains unwavering, fueled by the hope that one day ALS will be a livable disease for everyone,
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everywhere, until a cure can be found; and
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WHEREAS, The purpose of ALS Awareness Month is to raise public awareness about
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ALS, show support for those affected by this relentless disease, and give recognition to those
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working to find a cure; 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 May 2026, to be "ALS Awareness Month." We furthermore urge all the citizens of the
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State to educate themselves about ALS and to help combat this disease by all means possible; 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 ALS United RI.
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LC006038
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