; Whereas both the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health have established special offices to advocate for rare disease research and treatments; Whereas the National Organization for Rare Disorders, an organization established in 1983 to provide services to, and advocate on behalf of, patients with rare diseases, was a primary force behind the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act and remains a critical public voice for people with rare diseases; Whereas the National Organization for Rare Disorders sponsors Rare Disease Day in the United States to increase public awareness of rare diseases; Whereas Rare Disease Day is a global event occurring annually on the last day of February; Whereas Rare Disease Day was observed in the United States for the first time on February 28, 2009; and Whereas Rare Disease Day is anticipated to continue to be observed globally in years to come, providing hope and information for rare disease patients around the world: Now, therefore, be it