PRINTER'S NO. 3906
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1021
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TOOHIL, BAKER, BIZZARRO, BOBACK, R. BROWN,
V. BROWN, COHEN, D. COSTA, DEAN, DiGIROLAMO, DUSH, GIBBONS,
HENNESSEY, KAUFFMAN, KAVULICH, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE,
MAHONEY, MAJOR, MARSICO, McNEILL, MILLARD, MUSTIO, PASHINSKI,
PAYNE, PICKETT, RAPP, READSHAW, REGAN, ROSS, ROZZI, SAYLOR,
SCHLOSSBERG, SONNEY, VEREB, WARD, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD AND
McCARTER, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2016 as "Mesothelioma
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Mesothelioma cancer is an aggressive, asbestos-
related disease that affects the linings of the chest, lungs,
heart and abdomen; and
WHEREAS, Mesothelioma claimed more than 37,000 lives in the
United States from 1999 to 2013; and
WHEREAS, The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural
mesothelioma, which accounts for approximately 2,500 cases per
year in the United States; and
WHEREAS, It is reported that only 10% to 20% of patients with
pleural mesothelioma are diagnosed early enough for surgical
intervention; and
WHEREAS, While symptoms can vary depending on the area of the
body where the disease originates, common symptoms of
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mesothelioma are fluid in the chest or abdomen, pain, shortness
of breath, loss of appetite, heart failure, fatigue, cough and
weight loss; and
WHEREAS, Asbestos was used in the construction of most office
buildings, hospitals, public schools, power plants, automobile
repair shops, refineries and residential homes built before
1975; and
WHEREAS, A high percentage of mesothelioma victims were
exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; and
WHEREAS, Exposure to asbestos for as little as one month can
result in mesothelioma 15 or more years later; and
WHEREAS, The lack of sufficient research to advance effective
treatments for mesothelioma has led to inadequate treatment for
those stricken with the disease and has resulted in a situation
where the majority of mesothelioma patients die within 12 to 15
months after diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, There is no known cure for mesothelioma, leaving the
only defense to be research and prevention through education;
and
WHEREAS, As of April 2015, researchers conducted nearly 250
clinical trials for mesothelioma worldwide; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of September 2016 as "Mesothelioma Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania to help raise public awareness about mesothelioma
and the need to research and discover an effective treatment and
a cure for this deadly cancer.
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