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A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE TO ENACT THE LUPUS

RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT ACT AND AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATIONS TO

STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF AND

CURE FOR LUPUS.

WHEREAS, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that

causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially

the skin, joints, blood and kidneys; and

WHEREAS, the immune system normally protects the body

against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials; and

WHEREAS, in an autoimmune disease like lupus, the immune

system loses its ability to tell the difference between

foreign substances and its own cells and tissues; and

WHEREAS, the immune system then makes antibodies

directed against "self"; and

WHEREAS, lupus attacks vital organs, causes disabilities

and can be fatal; and

WHEREAS, there are approximately one million five

hundred thousand to two million Americans who suffer from

lupus; and

WHEREAS, in New Mexico, with a population of one million

eight hundred seventy-four thousand six hundred fourteen

people, there are nine thousand six hundred sixty-nine

reported cases of lupus; and

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WHEREAS, lupus affects women nine times more than men;

and

WHEREAS, lupus is two to three times more common among

African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native

Americans; and

WHEREAS, about five percent of the children born to

individuals with lupus will develop the illness; and

WHEREAS, there are no new cures for lupus; and

WHEREAS, there have been no new drugs approved from the

food and drug administration for lupus in nearly forty years;

and

WHEREAS, the Lupus Research Enhancement Act creates a

lupus research enhancement program to make grants to state

academic medical institutions that conduct basic, clinical,

social, translational, technological, epidemiological and

behavioral research on lupus; and

WHEREAS, the Lupus Research Enhancement Act establishes

a lupus research advisory council to review submitted grant

applications and make recommendations to the appropriate

state agencies; and

WHEREAS, the Lupus Research Enhancement Act calls upon

the council to consult with the national institutes of

health, the centers for disease control and prevention, the

agency for healthcare research and quality, the institute of

medicine and lupus advocacy groups to solicit information

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regarding lupus research projects currently being conducted

and make recommendations for future projects;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislature take into

consideration the enactment of the Lupus Research Enhancement

Act and authorize appropriations deemed necessary to take

care of those New Mexicans who suffer from lupus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the children's cabinet of the office of the

governor.