Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) SR 1874 By Senator Rodriguez 40-03240-25 20251874__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution designating May 1, 2025, as “Prader-Willi 3 Syndrome Awareness Day” in Florida and expressing 4 continued support for groundbreaking research that is 5 improving the quality of life of individuals in this 6 state who have the disorder and their families. 7 8 WHEREAS, Prader-Willi syndrome is a complex genetic 9 disorder that occurs in approximately 1 out of every 15,000 10 births, and 11 WHEREAS, Prader-Willi syndrome is the most commonly known 12 genetic cause of life-threatening obesity, and 13 WHEREAS, there is no known cure for Prader-Willi syndrome, 14 and 15 WHEREAS, studies have shown that individuals with Prader- 16 Willi syndrome have high morbidity and mortality rates, and 17 WHEREAS, Prader-Willi syndrome affects males and females 18 with equal frequency and affects all races and ethnicities, and 19 WHEREAS, Prader-Willi syndrome causes an extreme and 20 insatiable appetite that often results in morbid obesity, and 21 WHEREAS, morbid obesity is the major cause of death for 22 individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, and 23 WHEREAS, Prader-Willi syndrome causes cognitive and 24 learning disabilities and behavioral difficulties, including 25 obsessive-compulsive disorder and difficulty controlling 26 emotions, and 27 WHEREAS, the hunger, metabolic, and behavioral 28 characteristics of Prader-Willi syndrome mean that individuals 29 who have the disorder require constant and lifelong supervision 30 in a controlled environment, and 31 WHEREAS, early diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome allows 32 families to access treatment, intervention services, and support 33 from health professionals, advocacy organizations, and other 34 families who are dealing with the syndrome, and 35 WHEREAS, recently discovered treatments, including the use 36 of human growth hormone, are improving the quality of life for 37 individuals with the syndrome and offer new hope to families, 38 but no treatments have yet been found for many difficult 39 symptoms associated with Prader-Willi syndrome, and 40 WHEREAS, increased research into Prader-Willi syndrome may 41 lead to a better understanding of the disorder, more effective 42 treatments, and an eventual cure for the syndrome, and is likely 43 to lead to a better understanding of common public health 44 concerns, including childhood obesity and mental health, NOW, 45 THEREFORE, 46 47 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 48 49 That the Florida Senate designates May 1, 2025, as “Prader 50 Willi Syndrome Awareness Day” in Florida and expresses its 51 continued support for groundbreaking research that is improving 52 the quality of life of individuals in this state who have the 53 disorder and their families.