10-R269

2010 -- S 2924

Enacted 05/25/10

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

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2010, TO BE "ALS ADVOCACY MONTH" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Lanzi, Connors, Ruggerio, DiPalma, and Picard

Date Introduced: May 25, 2010

     WHEREAS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known by many as Lou Gehrig's

disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and

spinal cord, making even the simplest movements such as walking, speaking, and gesturing

nearly impossible; and,

     WHEREAS, Approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States are afflicted with

ALS at any given time, with 5,000 new cases appearing each year; and,

     WHEREAS, Approximately 15 new cases of ALS are diagnosed every day, and every 90

minutes someone loses their battle with the disease; and,

     WHEREAS, ALS can strike anyone regardless of race, sex, age, or ethnicity, which is

why finding the cause of and cure for ALS will prevent the disease from taking more lives; and,

      WHEREAS, Aggressive treatments of the symptoms of ALS can extend the lives of

those living with the disease; and

     WHEREAS, Raising public awareness of this disease will facilitate the discovery of a

cure and bring much needed support and services to families in Rhode Island and across the

nation who are dealing with ALS; now, therefore be it

      RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims the month of May, 2010, to be “ALS Advocacy Month.” We furthermore urge

all the citizens of the state to educate themselves on ALS and to help combat this disease by all

means possible; 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 Chapter of the ALS

Foundation.

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LC02681

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