2026 -- H 8447

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LC006342

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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 APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Serpa, Chippendale, Hopkins, Kennedy,
Edwards, Fogarty, Fellela, Ajello, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: April 14, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the

second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s

disease; and

     WHEREAS, More than one million people in the United States are currently living with

Parkinson's Disease. Every six minutes, there is a new Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, and each

year there are nearly 90,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson's Disease which represents a 50 percent

increase from previous years. In Rhode Island, one to two thousand people suffer from

Parkinson's Disease; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately five to ten percent of Parkinson's Disease diagnoses occur

before the age of 50, with the onset of Parkinson's Disease commonly occurring at the age of 60

and older; and

     WHEREAS, Although research suggests Parkinson’s results from a combination of

genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown

and there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose the disease; and

     WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease vary from person to person and can

include tremors, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity,

constipation, skin problems, cognitive problems, dementia, and mood disorders such as

depression and anxiety; and

     WHEREAS, Currently there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of

Parkinson’s Disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical

needs of patients; and

     WHEREAS, Increased efforts and awareness are desperately needed to help expedite

research efforts for better treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as creating enhanced

programs and services to help those impacted by Parkinson’s Disease to improve their quality of

life until a cure is found; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April of 2026, to be "Parkinson’s Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Parkinson Disease Association,

Rhode Island Chapter.

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LC006342

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