2016 -- H 8201

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LC005719

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 10TH, 2015, TO BE "LUPUS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE

ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Hull, Bennett, and Barros

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to

attack normal tissue, resulting in inflammation in various parts of the body, particularly the skin,

joints, blood system, and kidneys. It develops most commonly in women between the ages of 15

and 45; and

     WHEREAS, Every day roughly 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people

worldwide, struggle with the debilitating health consequences of lupus, a condition during which

the immune system is compromised to the extent that it is unable to distinguish the body's own

cells and tissues from foreign invaders; and

     WHEREAS, World Lupus Day was first celebrated in the United States in 2004, with the

issuance of the first World Lupus Day Proclamation, which identified this historic day and was

aimed at raising awareness of the plight and the treatment requirements of millions of people;

now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 10th of 2016 to be "Lupus Day" in our state and

joins advocates from around the globe in calling for greater awareness of lupus and its

consequences; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby urges and supports enhanced charitable donations

to the Lupus Foundation of America and all organizations engaged in lupus research and patient

services, and in this noble enterprise on behalf of all who are affected by lupus; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the LUPUS Foundation of America,

Connecticut Chapter, Inc.

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LC005719

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