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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is
3the oldest and largest professional safety society; ASSE was
4founded in 1911 in response to the tragic New York City
5Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire; this Illinois non-profit,
6which is based in Des Plaines, has a global influence; and
 
7    WHEREAS, ASSE has been dedicated for 100 years to the
8advancement of safety, health, and environmental professionals
9through education and advocacy; and
 
10    WHEREAS, ASSE has over 32,000 members located in all 50
11states, and in 75 other countries; and
 
12    WHEREAS, 4,340 workers lost their lives in 2009 due to
13fatal occupational injuries; 158 of those deaths were in
14Illinois, representing the 6th highest number of workplace
15fatalities in the nation; and
 
16    WHEREAS, 3.2 million workers suffered from non-fatal
17occupational injuries and illnesses in 2009, with 165,500 of
18those cases in Illinois; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Businesses spend billions of dollars every year on
20costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses,

 

 

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1while the intangible costs of losing a coworker, friend, or
2family member go beyond a price tag; and
 
3    WHEREAS, ASSE promotes community safety and health through
4initiatives that raise awareness and improve prevention of
5injury and illness, such as safety checklists for emergency
6relief efforts, pandemic preparation tips, kids poster
7contests, and a website with free safety tips at www.asse.org;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, ASSE joined with the Canadian Society of Safety
10Engineering and U.S. federal agencies to sponsor North American
11Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week each year in May,
12when industry, trade organizations, and corporations
13throughout the continent host activities that increase
14awareness of the importance of workplace safety and health; and
 
15    WHEREAS, ASSE recognizes safety and health professionals
16on Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day that falls
17on the Wednesday of NAOSH Week each year; and
 
18    WHEREAS, ASSE established the ASSE Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
19charity, to generate funds and provide resources for
20scholarships, applied research, academic accreditation, and
21related initiatives to advance the safety, health, and
22environmental profession; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, ASSE advances opportunities in occupational
2safety and health education by helping set educational
3standards and increasing the number of safety programs at the
4undergraduate and graduate college levels; and
 
5    WHEREAS, ASSE proactively works with legislators and
6regulators to ensure that government decisions that impact the
7safety, health, and environment of the workplace are based on
8good science and sound technology; and
 
9    WHEREAS, ASSE members use principles from many different
10disciplines to improve working conditions in all walks of life,
11including manufacturing, transportation, chemicals, mining,
12utilities, construction, insurance, education, healthcare, and
13government; and
 
14    WHEREAS, ASSE members work with employers every day to help
15them wisely invest in safety, health, and environmental
16programs, so that millions of employees go to and leave from
17work injury-free; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we applaud and honor
20the members of the American Society of Safety Engineers for 100
21years of dedicated service to occupational safety, health, and

 

 

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1environmental professionals; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That we commend safety, health, and
3environmental practitioners for their ongoing commitment to
4protecting people, property, and the environment; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That we commend those businesses that
7incorporate safety, health, and environmental initiatives into
8their strategies, even during times of hardship; and be it
9further
 
10    RESOLVED, That we encourage all industries, organizations,
11community leaders, employers, and employees to support
12activities aimed at increasing awareness of preventing
13illness, injury, and death in the workplace; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we urge employers not to reduce their
15efforts to improve workplace safety, health, and environmental
16protection during economic downturns, as it will cost more in
17the future; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That we encourage employees to be safe at work;
19and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be

 

 

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1delivered to the Governor and the Director of the Illinois
2Department of Labor, as well as the members of the American
3Society of Safety Engineers during the ASSE's Professional
4Development Conference at McCormick Place from June 12-15, 2011
5as a symbol of our respect and esteem for the organization and
6its membership.