Wisconsin Legislature: AR3,1,4

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE

LRB-1368/1

CMH:cjs

2025 ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 3

February 3, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives Dittrich, Armstrong, Arney, Bare, Brown, Fitzgerald, Green, Gundrum, Hong, Hysell, Kirsch, Krug, Madison, Mursau, Nedweski, Novak, O'Connor, Ortiz-Velez, Palmeri, Phelps, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Subeck, Taylor, Tenorio, Tusler, J. Jacobson and Vining. Referred to Committee on Rules.

1Relating to: observing February 28, 2025, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin.

2Whereas, there are nearly 10,000 diseases and conditions considered rare
3(each affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans) in the United States, according to
4the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and

5Whereas, while each of these diseases may affect small numbers of people,
6rare diseases as a group affect approximately 25 to 30 million Americans; and

7Whereas, many rare diseases are serious and debilitating conditions that have
8a significant impact on the lives of those affected; and

9Whereas, while more than 800 drugs and biologics have been approved for the
10treatment of rare diseases according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
11millions of Americans still have rare diseases for which there is no approved
12treatment; and

13Whereas, individuals and families affected by rare diseases often experience

1problems such as diagnosis delay, difficulty finding a medical expert, and lack of
2access to treatments or ancillary services; and

3Whereas, while the public is familiar with some rare diseases, many patients
4and families affected by less widely known rare diseases bear a large share of the
5burden of funding research and raising public awareness to support the search for
6treatments; and

7Whereas, residents of Wisconsin are among those affected by rare diseases
8because nearly one in 10 Americans have rare diseases; and

9Whereas, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is organizing
10a nationwide observance of Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2025; now, therefore,
11be it

12Resolved by the assembly, That February 28, 2025, will be observed as Rare
13Disease Day in Wisconsin.

14(end)