Sen. Banks Delivers Remarks on Senate Floor and Secures Passage of Resolution Designating September as Dystonia Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) delivered remarks on the Senate Floor urging his colleagues to support his resolution designating September as Dystonia Awareness Month.

Banks shared his family's personal experience with the neurological movement disorder, which his mother has been battling for the past 40 years, and called for greater awareness, research, and improved treatments for the nearly 250,000 Americans living with dystonia.

Following his remarks, the resolution was agreed to by unanimous consent.

Click the image above or view the full speech here.

See remarks below:

"In a few moments I'm going to ask for unanimous consent for my resolution to designate September as 'Dystonia Awareness Month.' But before I do, I want to speak a little bit about dystonia and how personal the disease is for me and my family.

"Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that affects nearly 250,000 Americans. It causes involuntary muscle contractions and repetitive movements. These contractions can affect any part of the body, and they can be painful. Dystonia affects people of any age, and it may develop without any clear reason.

"My mom has suffered from dystonia for nearly 40 years, and I've seen firsthand how difficult the disease is. But my mom is a fighter, and she has never let dystonia stop her from living her life.

"Dystonia is often misdiagnosed, and there is no cure yet. That's why it's so important to raise awareness about dystonia. Greater awareness leads to better research, and eventually, better treatments and even a cure. I urge support for my resolution."

###