HR0278 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes that the abuse of steroids among America's youth has reached dangerous levels and become a national concern; and

WHEREAS, Steroid abuse was once viewed as a problem associated only with body builders and professional athletes; and

WHEREAS, Though these segments of the population continue to experience steroid abuse, use among young Americans has now reached an alarming level; and

WHEREAS, The 2003 Monitoring the Future Study conducted by the University of Michigan indicates that approximately 3.5% of American high school students have used illegal anabolic steroids at least once by grade 12, and an incredible 45% of all 12th graders did not believe taking steroids posed a great risk; and

WHEREAS, Compounding the dangerous misconception among many young people that steroid use is harmless is the high-profile use of steroids among professional athletes, who our nation's youth often idolize and seek to emulate; and

WHEREAS, The idolization of sports heroes and the enticement of improved athletic performance have led many of our nation's youth to turn to steroids; and

WHEREAS, The negative effects of long term anabolic steroid use are well documented and include damage to the liver, kidney, and sexual organs, increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, depression, stunted growth, eating disorders, and uncontrolled outbursts of anger, frustration, or combativeness resulting in wanton acts of violence; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes the increasing popularity of steroid use among young athletes and the harmful effects of such use; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created a Task Force to study the use of steroids among young athletes consisting of 10 members appointed as follows: 5 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve as the chairperson of the Task Force, and 5 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.