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[Page: S9256]  GPO's PDF
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   Mr. INHOFE (for himself and Mr. NELSON of Nebraska) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

   S. Res. 563

   Whereas celiac disease affects 2,200,000 people in the United States, including 1 in 133 healthy people;

   Whereas celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat,rye, oats, and barley, as well as some medicines and vitamins;

   Whereas exposure to gluten damages the villi of the small intestine, interfering with the absorption of nutrients in food;

   Whereas celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder and a malabsorption disease;

   Whereas celiac disease is a genetic disease, with 1 in 22 people having a first-degree relative with celiac disease;

   Whereas the average length of time it takes for a symptomatic person to be diagnosed with celiac disease is 11 years;

   Whereas celiac disease is often misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed due to the fact that symptoms can be attributed to other conditions and many doctors are not very knowledgeable about the disease;

   Whereas, according to a study, 60 percent of children and 41 percent of adults diagnosed with celiac disease were asymptomatic;

   Whereas celiac disease is diagnosed through tests measuring the blood for abnormally high levels of the antibodies of immunoglobulin A,anti-tissue transglutaminase, and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies;

   Whereas celiac disease is treated by following a gluten-free diet;

   Whereas damage to the small intestine leads to an increased risk for malnutrition, anemia, lymphoma and adenocarcinoma, osteoporosis, miscarriage and congenital malformation, and short stature;

   Whereas celiac disease is linked to many autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, liver disease, collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome;

   Whereas the connection between celiac disease and diet was first established by Dr. Samuel Gee, who was born on September 13, 1839;

   Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness in the general public and the medical community of celiac disease: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) designates September 13, 2006, as "National Celiac Disease Awareness Day'';

    (2) recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of celiac disease;

    (3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe the date with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and

   (4) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Celiac Sprue Association, the American Celiac Society, the Celiac Disease Foundation, the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, and the Oklahoma Celiac Support Group.