THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY DALLY, BAKER, BEYER, BRENNAN, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DELOZIER, DENLINGER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FLECK, GEIST, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GROVE, GRUCELA, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, McCALL, MELIO, MILLARD, MOUL, MUSTIO, PALLONE, PARKER, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROCK, ROSS, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, STEVENSON, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WALKO AND WATSON, MARCH 17, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 17, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of April 2009 as "Celiac Disease Awareness

Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease

that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes

with absorption of nutrients from food; and

WHEREAS, Celiac disease is triggered by consumption of the

protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye;

and

WHEREAS, When people with celiac disease eat foods containing

gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the fingerlike

villi of the small intestine; and

WHEREAS, When the villi become damaged, the body is unable to

absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, which can lead to

malnourishment; and

WHEREAS, Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue,

nontropical sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have determined that celiac disease is a

genetic condition, meaning that it is inherited; and

WHEREAS, In some cases, celiac becomes active or is triggered

by events such as surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral

infection or severe emotional stress; and

WHEREAS, Roughly one out of every 133 Americans has celiac

disease, but 97% remain undiagnosed, which means that almost

three million Americans have celiac disease and only about

100,000 know they have it; and

WHEREAS, Left untreated, people with celiac disease can

develop further complications, such as other autoimmune

diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and cancer; and

WHEREAS, There are a number of medical problems that are

associated with undiagnosed celiac disease, including cancer,

osteoporosis, diabetes Type 1, thyroid problems and reproductive

health issues; and

WHEREAS, The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong

gluten-free diet; and

WHEREAS, A gluten-free diet means avoiding all foods that

contain wheat, including spelt, triticale, kamut and rye; and

WHEREAS, Despite these restrictions, people with celiac

disease can eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods,

including bread and pasta. For example, instead of wheat flour,

people can use potato, rice, soy or bean flour. Or, they can buy

gluten-free bread, pasta and other products from specialty food

companies; and

WHEREAS, The residents of this Commonwealth should be aware

of celiac disease and its treatment; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of April 2009, as "Celiac Disease Awareness Month" in

Pennsylvania.