{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-bilirakis-lead-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-april-parkinsons-0", "Bell, Bilirakis Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing April as Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month", "2026-04-14", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Wesley Bell", "B001324", "bell.house.gov", "bell", "https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) re-introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing April as Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month. The resolution honors the more than one million Americans living with Parkinson\u2019s disease and calls for increased public awareness, federal research investment, and support for individuals and families affected by the condition.\n\n\u201cParkinson\u2019s disease is a heartbreaking reality for far too many families,\u201d said Rep. Bell. \u201cI\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with Congressman Bilirakis because the patients and families impacted by this disease deserve to know that people are advocating for them. By publicly recognizing the scope of this disease, we are taking a step toward a better future for the families impacted\u2013 a future that includes earlier diagnosis, better patient care, and more funding for research and breakthroughs.\u201d\n\n\u201cParkinson\u2019s disease is not just a diagnosis - it is a life-altering condition that impacts entire families and communities,\u201d said Rep. Bilirakis. \u201cFor too many Americans, the emotional and financial toll is overwhelming. This resolution ensures we elevate awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing research and care. Congress must continue working in a bipartisan manner to confront the challenges posed by Parkinson\u2019s disease. Together, we can improve quality of life for those affected today while driving progress toward a cure for tomorrow.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Michael J. Fox Foundation commends Representatives Bell and Bilirakis for spearheading this bipartisan effort to recognize the 1.2 million Americans living with Parkinson\u2019s and related diseases,\u201d said Dan Feehan, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson\u2019s Research. \u201cAs we mark Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month, we remain focused on accelerating the pace of discovery and ensuring broader access to high-quality care. That means sustaining and increasing federal investment in Parkinson\u2019s research, advancing efforts to better understand environmental contributors to disease, and fully implementing the National Parkinson\u2019s Project to keep driving progress. We\u2019ve seen remarkable advances in Parkinson\u2019s research, and by working together, we can reach a cure even faster for the fastest-growing neurological disease in the U.S. and around the world.\u201d\n\nParkinson\u2019s is a progressive neurological disease that primarily affects motor function, but it can also lead to cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, and mental health challenges. Roughly 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s each year, and that number is expected to rise as the population ages. The economic burden of the disease is estimated at more than $52 billion annually in the United States alone, including direct medical costs and indirect costs like missed work and caregiver time.\n\nReps. Bell and Bilirakis also introduced this resolution in 2025.", 1, "2026-06-11T06:38:38Z", "2026-06-11T06:41:07Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-bilirakis-lead-bipartisan-resolution-recognizing-april-parkinsons-0"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8276989683508873, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}