11-R281

2011 -- H 6148

Enacted 05/17/11

 

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 17, 2011, TO BE "ALS AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Ferri, Valencia, Gallison, and Hearn

     Date Introduced: May 17, 2011

 

     

 

     WHEREAS, This year marks the twentieth anniversary of a 1992 declaration by the

United States Congress that established the month of May as “ALS Awareness Month”; and

     WHEREAS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known by many as Lou Gehrig's

disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and

spinal cord, making even the simplest movements such as walking, speaking, and gesturing

nearly impossible; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States are afflicted with

ALS at any given time, with 5,000 new cases appearing each year; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 15 new cases of ALS are diagnosed every day, and every 90

minutes someone loses their battle with the disease; and

     WHEREAS, ALS can strike anyone regardless of race, sex, age, or ethnicity, which is

why finding the cause of and cure for ALS will prevent the disease from taking more lives; and

     WHEREAS, Aggressive treatments of the symptoms of ALS can extend the lives of those

living with the disease; and

     WHEREAS, Raising public awareness to help spotlight the tremendous challenges being

faced by individuals living with ALS, as well as the importance of speeding worldwide research

seeking treatments and cures for this fatal disease, will hopefully facilitate the discovery of a cure

and bring much needed support and services to families in Rhode Island and across the nation

who are dealing with ALS; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 17, 2011, to be “ALS Awareness Day.” We

furthermore urge all the citizens of the state to educate themselves about ALS and to help support

the ongoing search for a cure; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Chapter of the ALS

Foundation.

     

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LC02655

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