THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY RAFFERTY, HUGHES, ERICKSON, GREENLEAF, FERLO, TARTAGLIONE, PILEGGI, FONTANA, DINNIMAN, LOGAN, ROBBINS, BAKER, WARD, BRUBAKER, PIPPY, O'PAKE, ALLOWAY, D. WHITE, MUSTO, COSTA, EARLL AND WOZNIAK, JULY 16, 2009

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JULY 16, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating September 26, 2009, as "Mesothelioma Awareness Day"

in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Thousands of Americans die each year from

mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the linings of

the lungs, abdomen, heart or testicles; and

WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, malignant mesothelioma is a fatal cancer primarily

associated with exposure to asbestos; and

WHEREAS, The heavy use of asbestos in manufacturing, industry

and construction has been recognized as the worst occupational

health disaster in United States history; and

WHEREAS, Asbestos was used in the construction of virtually

all office buildings, public schools and homes built before

1975; and

WHEREAS, A high percentage of all mesothelioma victims were

exposed to asbestos on Naval ships and in shipyards; and

WHEREAS, It is believed that many of the firefighters, police

officers and rescue workers from Ground Zero in New York City on

September 11, 2001, may be at increased risk of contracting

mesothelioma; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth, including, in particular, the

City of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, have an

incidence rate of mesothelioma that exceeds the national

average; and

WHEREAS, Even incidental exposure to asbestos is sufficient

to cause cancer as long as 30 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 succumb to the

disease within a mere 12 to 15 months from the time of

diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, the Mesothelioma Applied Research

Foundation was formed to eradicate the life-ending and vicious

effects of mesothelioma, and progress in developing effective

treatments for the disease is now being made; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of Mesothelioma Awareness Day

would raise public awareness of the disease and of the need to

develop effective treatments for it; therefore by it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate September 26, 2009, as

"Mesothelioma Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.