H.Res. 872

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 872 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 872

Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) 
Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 10, 2025

Mr. Valadao (for himself, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Fong, Mr. Bean of 
Florida, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Brown, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. 
Swalwell, Mr. Tonko, and Mr. Costa) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) 
Awareness Day''.

Whereas Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (referred to in this resolution as ``CJD'') is 
a rare, fatal brain disorder within a group of illnesses called prion 
diseases;
Whereas CJD occurs in approximately 1 to 2 cases per million individuals each 
year, resulting in approximately 600 cases annually in the United 
States, 85 percent of which are designated as sporadic, with no known 
causes, while 10 to 15 percent are deemed genetic, and fewer than 1 
percent are deemed acquired;
Whereas, in the early stages of the disease, CJD patients may exhibit failing 
memory, behavioral changes, impaired coordination, and visual 
disturbances, and, as the illness progresses, mental deterioration 
becomes more pronounced while involuntary movements, blindness, weakness 
of extremities, and ultimately coma may occur;
Whereas CJD typically leads to death within a few months to 1 year following the 
onset of symptoms;
Whereas CJD is responsible for 1 in 6,000 deaths in the United States each year;
Whereas comprehensive prion disease surveillance is critical in order to develop 
more efficient detection methods, and to determine whether humans can 
acquire the disease through the consumption of prion-contaminated beef 
(known to cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or ``mad cow'' 
disease) or meat from cervids affected by chronic wasting disease 
(referred to in this resolution as ``CWD'');
Whereas CWD is a fatal condition in cervids (deer, elk, and moose) caused by 
misfolded prions that has been detected in over 36 States and all 4 
regions of the United States;
Whereas monitoring the prevalence of prion diseases, including determining a 
disease's incidence and whether it was acquired from animals or other 
humans, is critical;
Whereas continued prion disease surveillance, particularly through examination 
of postmortem human brain tissue, is imperative to evaluate whether CWD 
has or can spread to humans;
Whereas the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center is the only 
laboratory-based organization in the United States that monitors human 
prion diseases, which is critical to protecting the Nation's public 
health;
Whereas Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (referred to in this 
resolution as ``ADRD'') research could benefit from the study of prion 
diseases, like CJD;
Whereas caregiver and health services research of ADRD should be applied to 
prion diseases, like CJD, which share many of the same challenges;
Whereas the families and communities affected by CJD have a compelling story due 
to the rarity and rapid effects of the disease;
Whereas, from the time of diagnosis, CJD presents unique challenges and burdens 
for patients, their family members, and caregivers given the rapidly 
progressive nature of this devastating disease; and
Whereas the establishment of November 12, 2025, as ``Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease 
(CJD) Awareness Day'' would raise awareness about this rare, rapidly 
progressive, and invariably fatal disease: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ``Creutzfeldt-Jakob 
Disease (CJD) Awareness Day''; and
(2) recognizes the importance of raising awareness of this 
rare brain disorder.
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