Senator Christopher Bateman helps NJCTS gain joint resolution for Rutgers Sharing Repository

June 14, 2012 - PRLog -- New Jersey Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman has been a longtime supporter of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) and annually has presented the Center with a proclamation from the Governor’s Office certifying May 15 to June 15 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month.

This year, the Senator not only procured the proclamation, he – along with Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Assemblywoman Donna Simon – also sponsored and secured a Joint Legislative Resolution from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly to mark June 7 as the fifth anniversary of the now-federalized NJCTS Cell and DNA Sharing Repository at Rutgers University.

The Joint Resolution states that the repository is “renowned as an appropriate venue for citizens of the State with Tourette Syndrome to contribute valuable data, genetic samples, and material to help researchers worldwide to study causes and to work toward better treatment and a cure for this neurological disorder that affects thousands of State residents, as well as more than one million people across the nation.”

While the Joint Resolution for the repository was a first, this year’s proclamation is the 12th consecutive NJCTS has obtained from the Governor’s Office.

Accepting Gov. Chris Christie’s Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month proclamation from Senator Bateman on behalf of the Center was 16-year-old Hillsborough resident and 16th legislative district constituent David Letts, along with his mother, father and grandfather.

“Every year, the Governor proclaims May 15 to June 15 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in the hopes of shedding light on this often misunderstood neurological condition,” Senator Bateman said. “I stand with the Governor in advocating for those who suffer from this disorder and hope that this attention will educate the public and inspire them to be a more empathetic and supportive community.”

NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice believes the proclamation not only is a source of pride for individuals of the New Jersey TS community, but also can serve as an educational tool. In its first paragraph, the proclamation notes that “Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a hereditary neurological condition with onset in childhood that is defined by repetitive and involuntary body movements and/or vocal outbursts, also known as tics.”

“Senator Bateman has always been an important ally of the Center and the Tourette Syndrome community, and we thank him for sponsoring the Joint Resolution to recognize New Jersey taking the lead in supporting research, education and family support for Tourette Syndrome,” Rice said. “The support of legislators such as Senator Bateman is vital, and we are grateful for his partnership.”

The proclamation and Joint Resolution, as well as a complete photo gallery from this event, are available on NJCTS’ Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TouretteSyndrome. More information about the Center is available by calling 908-575-7350 or by visiting www.njcts.org.