08-R151
2008 -- H 8238
Enacted 05/01/08
H O U S E
R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY OF
2008 TO BE "BIOTECHNOLOGY MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representatives Dennigan, Church, Fox, Ajello, and Slater
Date Introduced: May 01,
2008
WHEREAS,
Biotechnology is the application of biological knowledge to practical needs,
and
it has become increasingly important to the research and development of
medical,
agricultural,
industrial, and environmental products, both in Rhode Island and across the
globe;
and
WHEREAS,
Breakthroughs and achievements in Biotechnology have benefited people
for
centuries and, in the 20th century, it has contributed to increasing the life
span of Americans
by
25 years through the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other drugs; and
WHEREAS,
Biotechnology is central to the research for cures in diseases such as cancer,
diabetes,
epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, heart and lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease,
Acquired
Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and innumerable other medical ailments; and
WHEREAS,
Contributing to crop yields and farm productivity, Biotechnology has
enhanced
the quality, value, and suitability of crops for food and other uses which are
critical to
America’s
agricultural system; and
WHEREAS,
Biotechnology also promises environmental benefits including protection of
water
quality, conservation of topsoil, improvement of waste management techniques,
and the
reduction
of chemical pesticide usage; and
WHEREAS,
Biotechnology has contributed to the success of the United States in
international
commerce and trade and will be an important catalyst for creating jobs for
Rhode
Islanders
in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS,
It is important for all Rhode Islanders to understand the role Biotechnology
contributes
to the quality of their lives and future; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this House of Representatives of the state of Rhode Island and
Providence
Plantations hereby proclaims May of 2008 to be “Biotechnology Month” in the
state
of
Rhode Island; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this House celebrates the growth of Biotechnology in Rhode Island by
urging
all departments of the state to observe this month with educational programs at
high
schools
and institutions of higher learning that are geared towards increasing and
enhancing a
skilled
workforce for this developing field, and through activities, ceremonies, and
promotional
exposure
on Capital TV and at Committee hearings for Rhode Island’s emergent biotech
industries;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Donald Carcieri, the
Director of the
Department
of Economic Development and the Director of Capitol TV.
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LC02094
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