WASHINGTON, D.C. – The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) has announced that Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ7) is a co-sponsor of the Collaborative Academic Research Efforts (CARE) for Tourette Syndrome Act of 2013, introduced by Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ8) as bill H.R. 146 on January 4 to the United States House of Representatives.
“I am proud to once again lend my personal support to the CARE for Tourette Syndrome Act. This bipartisan legislation is crucial in terms of fostering greater awareness and advocacy of Tourette Syndrome and finding ways to treat and ultimately prevent this devastating disorder,” said Congressman Lance, who co-sponsored Congressman Sires’ original TS bill, H.R. 3760 in 2011. “New Jersey has long been at the forefront of understanding and researching Tourette Syndrome, and I believe this legislation will bring the great programs and services of Centers of Excellence such as NJCTS to the rest of the nation.”
The legislation would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the expansion, intensification and coordination of the programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with respect to Tourette Syndrome – a misunderstood, misdiagnosed, inherited neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 children and adults, and is characterized by vocal sounds and/or motor movements known as tics.
A primary purpose of this legislation is to establish regional centers of excellence across the country to conduct research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment of Tourette Syndrome and associated disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety and depression. The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders, the nation’s first center of excellence for TS, was established in 2004.
The original H.R. 3760 bill gained the co-sponsorship of 42 U.S. Congressman, including 9 from New Jersey. Joining Congressmen Lance in signing on so far are 7 other Representatives, including Rush Holt (D-NJ12). To encourage your Representative to co-sponsor this bill, show your support or learn more, please visit POPVOX. More information also is available by visiting www.njcts.org.
“We are pleased that Congressman Lance has once again supported this important legislation. It is our hope that other Congressmen and Senators will follow in the footsteps of Congressmen Lance and Sires,” NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice said. “New Jersey has changed the face of TS research, education and support through partnerships and collaborations, and we look forward to seeing more develop on behalf of the children and families nationwide affected by Tourette Syndrome.”