WHEREAS, The week of March 11, 2013, through March 15, 2013, has been declared Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in recognition of the importance of finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis and to express appreciation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its California chapters; and

WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of the central nervous system that affects an estimated 400,000 Americans across the country, and nearly 200 new cases are diagnosed each week nationwide; and

WHEREAS, The California chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society report that more than 40,000 people in California are affected by this devastating disease. Throughout the years, the California chapters have been committed to heightening public knowledge and insight and are currently planning several major statewide fundraisers and educational programs to raise awareness about the effects of multiple sclerosis; and

WHEREAS, Twice as many women as men have multiple sclerosis and most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, and while studies indicate genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others, there is no evidence that multiple sclerosis is directly inherited; and

WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, founded in 1946, funds more research, offers more services for people with multiple sclerosis, and provides more professional education programs than any other multiple sclerosis organization in the world. Through its home office in New York and its 50-state network of chapters, the society services more than one million people annually; and

WHEREAS, The society is the largest private supporter of multiple sclerosis research in the world, and for more than 55 years it has funded innovative research and advocated for government support of important scientific inquiries; now, therefore, be it