HRES-345-119
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sponsored by Wesley Bell (D-MO)
What it does
This resolution would express Congress's support for designating April 2025 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month." It is a simple commemorative resolution with no binding legal effect, no appropriations, and no changes to existing law or federal programs.
Who benefits
People living with Parkinson's disease (approximately 1 million Americans), their caregivers and family members, Parkinson's disease advocacy and research organizations, and healthcare providers specializing in movement disorders. Indirectly, the broader public may benefit from increased awareness of the disease's symptoms and risk factors.
Who is hurt
No group is directly or materially harmed by this resolution. There are no regulatory burdens, spending changes, or legal obligations created.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that Parkinson's disease affects roughly 1 million Americans and that public awareness is essential for early diagnosis, which can meaningfully improve quality of life. They contend that congressional recognition elevates the visibility of the disease, encourages research funding advocacy, and signals solidarity with patients and caregivers who often face significant physical and emotional burdens.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that simple commemorative resolutions consume limited congressional floor time and resources without producing any measurable policy outcome or directing funding toward research or patient care. They contend that meaningful support for Parkinson's patients would require substantive legislation — such as increased NIH research appropriations — rather than symbolic designations that carry no legal force.