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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Celiac disease is one of the world's most
3prevalent genetic autoimmune diseases, affecting an estimated
4three million Americans, 70-80% of whom are undiagnosed; and
5 WHEREAS, Celiac disease causes the body to attack its own
6small intestine, which can lead to many other devastating
7health conditions, including cancer; and
8 WHEREAS, Celiac disease results in extraordinary economic
9and productivity costs to both the public and private sectors
10from employee and student absenteeism, as well as repeated,
11inconclusive visits to healthcare providers; and
12 WHEREAS, On average, it takes four years to be correctly
13diagnosed with celiac disease; and
14 WHEREAS, There is no medication or cure for celiac
15disease; the only treatment is a lifelong, strict gluten-free
16diet; and
17 WHEREAS, Studies show that up to 50% of people on a
18gluten-free diet continue to experience symptoms and have
19intestinal damage, revealing the ineffectiveness of the
20gluten-free diet as a treatment; therefore, be it

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1 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3we declare September 13, 2024 as Celiac Disease Awareness Day
4in the State of Illinois to raise public awareness of this
5serious condition; and be it further