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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Thousands of Americans die each year from
3 mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos, that
4 attacks the linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles;
5 and
 
6     WHEREAS, The heavy use of asbestos in manufacturing,
7 industry, and construction has been recognized as "the worst
8 occupational health disaster in U.S. history"; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Asbestos was used in the construction of virtually
10 all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before
11 1975; and
 
12     WHEREAS, A high percentage of mesothelioma victims were
13 exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; and
 
14     WHEREAS, It is believed that many of the firefighters,
15 police officers, and rescue workers from the site of the World
16 Trade Center destruction on September 11, 2001 may be at
17 increased risk of contracting mesothelioma; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Even incidental exposure to asbestos is
19 sufficient to cause cancer as long as 30 years later; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, The lack of sufficient research to advance
2 effective treatments for Mesothelioma has led to inadequate
3 treatment for those stricken with the disease and has resulted
4 in a situation where the majority of Mesothelioma patients
5 succumb to the disease within a mere 12 to 15 months from the
6 time of diagnosis; and
 
7     WHEREAS, In 1999, the Mesothelioma Applied Research
8 Foundation was formed to eradicate the life-ending and vicious
9 effects of mesothelioma, and early progress in developing
10 effective treatments for the disease is now being made; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The establishment of Mesothelioma Awareness Day
12 would raise public awareness of the disease and the need to
13 develop effective treatments for this devastating disease;
14 therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
16 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September 26
17 of each year to be Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the State of
18 Illinois; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.