R 217
2001-S 956
Enacted 5/22/2001


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

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY AS "STROKE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:  Senators Irons, Coderre, Izzo, Graziano and Polisena Date Introduced:  May 22, 2001

WHEREAS, On behalf of the citizens of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, we the members of the Senate are pleased to join the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, in celebrating the month of May as "Stroke Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; and

WHEREAS, Acknowledging the month of May offers advocates for Stroke awareness, Stroke survivors and their caregivers, and friends and family of Stroke victims, an opportunity to educate the public about these devastating and debilitating effects of Stroke; and

WHEREAS, Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and throughout the United States of America, striking over 700 Rhode Islanders and over 600,000 Americans each year; and

WHEREAS, Stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults with over 4.5 million survivors today; and

WHEREAS, The majority of Rhode Islanders and Americans are not yet aware of their risk factors for a Stroke, nor are they yet aware of the warning signs and symptoms of an impending Stroke; and

WHEREAS, Those of greater risk of Stroke are those above the age of 55, have a family history of cardiovascular disease or Stroke, previous Strokes, high blood pressure, tobacco product consumption and/or exposure, have diabetes, have cardiovascular disease and/or have an increase in red-blood cell count; and

WHEREAS, The warning signs and symptoms of Stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm and/or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, and/or understanding; sudden vision strain or loss in one or both eyes; sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of maintained balance or coordination; and/or sudden severe headache without a known cause; and

WHEREAS, New and effective treatments have been developed to treat and ease the severity and debilitating effects of Stroke, yet much more research is needed; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations support and applaud any local research being conducted that moves us closer to a cure; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That on behalf of the members of the Rhode Island Senate and the citizens of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, we hereby do proclaim that the month of May to be "Stroke Awareness Month" throughout the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and urge all the citizens of our state to familiarize themselves with the warning signs and symptoms, as well as the risk factors associated with Stroke so that we might begin to reduce the devastating and debilitating effects that occur to Stroke victims and their caregivers, family and friends within the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; 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 Affiliate of the American Heart Association.

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