06-R 253

2006 -- H 8077

Enacted 05/04/06

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

CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2006 AS "WORLD ASTHMA MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representative Arthur Handy

Date Introduced: May 04, 2006

     WHEREAS, Asthma has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting

about 20 million people; and

     WHEREAS, Asthma is the leading cause of childhood hospitalizations, long-term illness,

and school absenteeism, accounting for more than 14 million missed school days each year; and

     WHEREAS, Each year 2 million people are rushed to the emergency room and 4,000

people die from asthma; and

     WHEREAS, Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease in which the airways of the

lungs constrict, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing; and

     WHEREAS, Exposure to allergens and irritants such as dust mites, mold, cockroaches,

pet dander, and secondhand smoke can bring on an asthma episode; and

     WHEREAS, Secondhand smoke worsens children’s asthma in up to one million children;

and

     WHEREAS, There are simple steps people can take to reduce their exposure to

environmental asthma triggers; and

     WHEREAS, The American Lung Association of Rhode Island and Blue Cross & Blue

Shield of Rhode Island are teaming up to address asthma related questions on May 10, 2006 at the

Kennedy Plaza in Providence; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby celebrates the Month of May, 2006 as "World Asthma Month" in

the State of Rhode Island; 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 Division of the American

Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association.

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LC03158

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