house resolution no.133

Reps. Liberati, Eisen and Garza offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare July 2019 as Fragile X Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of developmental disability, cognitive impairment, and autism affecting people of every race, income level, and nationality; and

Whereas, Nearly 1.5 million Americans are living with the health impacts of a Fragile X mutation; and

Whereas, The exact number of people who have the Fragile X permutation is unknown. Studies estimate that between 1 in 148 and 1 in 291 females and 1 in 290 and 1 in 855 males in the United States are carriers of a Fragile X mutation and can pass the mutation to their offspring; and

Whereas, Approximately one in every 3,600 to one in every 4,000 males and one in 4,000 to one in every 6,000 female children are born with the Fragile X Syndrome and typically require a lifetime of special care which could cost over $2,000,000; and

Whereas, Fragile X remains frequently undiagnosed until puberty. The genetic mutation causing Fragile X has been studied and is easily identified by testing. Early intervention and therapy is necessary to provide the most opportunity for developing a full range of skills and behavior; and

Whereas, The Fragile X protein also plays a critical role in normal brain function and in other neuropsychiatric conditions including autism, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, clinical depression, and other forms of X-linked cognitive impairment. The study of Fragile X provides a unique research opportunity for advancing the understanding of these other neuropsychiatric conditions. With concerted research efforts, a targeted treatment for Fragile X will likely be developed. Fragile X research has been vastly underfunded despite the prevalence of the condition, the great potential for the development of targeted treatments, and the significance that Fragile X research has for related disorders; and

Whereas, The U.S. Congress has designated July as National Fragile X Awareness Month. The Michigan House of Representatives as an institution and members of the Michigan Legislature as individuals are in unique positions to help raise public awareness about the need for increased funding for research, early diagnosis, and treatment for the condition known as Fragile X; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare July 2019 as Fragile X Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.