HR0081 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0081 LRB096 10754 KXB 20943 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Thousands of Americans die each year from mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos, that attacks the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles; and

WHEREAS, The heavy use of asbestos in manufacturing, industry, and construction has been recognized as "the worst occupational health disaster in U.S. history"; and

WHEREAS, Asbestos was used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before 1975; and

WHEREAS, A high percentage of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; and

WHEREAS, It is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers from the site of the World Trade Center destruction on September 11, 2001 may be at increased risk of contracting mesothelioma; and

WHEREAS, Even incidental exposure to asbestos is sufficient to cause cancer as long as 30 years later; and

WHEREAS, The lack of sufficient research to advance effective treatments for Mesothelioma has led to inadequate treatment for those stricken with the disease and has resulted in a situation where the majority of Mesothelioma patients succumb to the disease within a mere 12 to 15 months from the time of diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation was formed to eradicate the life-ending and vicious effects of mesothelioma, and early progress in developing effective treatments for the disease is now being made; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of Mesothelioma Awareness Day would raise public awareness of the disease and the need to develop effective treatments for this devastating disease; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September 26 of each year to be Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.