WHEREAS, Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a congenital disorder, recognizable by a port wine stain on the face and/or body. Babies born with Sturge-Weber can suffer from many complications, including glaucoma, blindness, mild to extreme seizures, mental retardation, and paralysis; and

WHEREAS, Created in 1987, the Sturge-Weber Foundation started as a support group for families all over the United States and in many parts of the world affected by this Syndrome. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals with Sturge-Weber Syndrome by acting as a clearinghouse for information, providing emotional support, and facilitating research; and

WHEREAS, Overemphasis on the importance of beauty in our current culture adds to the emotional burdens of children and adults with port wine stains, Sturge-Weber, and other associated syndromes such as Kippel-Trenaunay. Progress in research has been made and the Foundation is determined to press on to find out everything it can about this family of syndromes; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby declares May 15, 2002 "Sturge-Weber Syndrome Awareness Day" in the State of Rhode Island. This body encourages progress in research and the 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 Sturge-Weber Foundation.