Whereas it is the custom of the House of Representatives to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of the people of the United States; Whereas meningococcal disease, more commonly referred to as bacterial meningitis , is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis; Whereas meningococcal disease is uncommon, and the flu-like symptoms of the disease make diagnosing difficult; Whereas meningococcal disease can cause serious illnesses, such as— (1) an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal column known as meningitis ; and (2) blood infections known as sepsis ; Whereas the disease strikes quickly and may lead to severe or permanent disabilities, such as hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, and limb amputation, and may even lead to death within 24 to 48 hours; Whereas although 1 in 10 people are carriers of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria with no signs or symptoms of disease, Neisseria meningitidis bacteria may sometimes cause illnesses; Whereas there are different strains of meningococcal disease, including strains caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W, Y, and B; Whereas vaccines exist to help provide protection against all strains of meningococcal disease caused by the serogroups common in the United States; Whereas meningococcal disease is spread from person to person via the exchange of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria through respiratory and throat secretions during close or lengthy contact, including contact such as— (1) sharing beverages or eating utensils; (2) kissing; and (3) spending time in close contact with someone who is sick or who carries the bacteria; Whereas community settings in which large groups of people gather, such as college campuses, may increase the risk of transmission of meningococcal disease; Whereas because of the way meningococcal disease is spread through close personal contact, the social behavior of young adults ages 16 to 23 increases the risk of those adults contracting the disease