THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, MAJOR, MANN, DiGIROLAMO, RAVENSTAHL, K. BOYLE, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, DeWEESE, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GRELL, HARHART, HENNESSEY, M.K. KELLER, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KOTIK, MILLARD, MOUL, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, PAYNE, QUINN, ROSS, SANTONI, SONNEY, STABACK, VULAKOVICH, WAGNER AND YOUNGBLOOD, MARCH 7, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 7, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of March 2011 as "Certified Athletic

Trainer Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are medical

professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment,

treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that

occur to athletes and the physically active; and

WHEREAS, Each certified athletic trainer works under the

direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other

health care professionals; and

WHEREAS, Parents and school administrators are discovering

the benefits an ATC can offer in preventing and caring for

injuries sustained in athletic activity, and the American

Medical Association recommends that ATCs be in every high

school; and

WHEREAS, ATCs have long been present at colleges and

universities, especially in their athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, In professional sports, ATCs work year-round,

conditioning and rehabilitating athletes; and

WHEREAS, Each branch of the United States Armed Forces is

increasing the use of ATCs as part of the health care team for

active-duty injuries, at base fitness and wellness centers and

in new recruit and pre-enlistment readiness programs; and

WHEREAS, ATCs are a key component of the health care team

caring for persons with workplace injuries, particularly in the

orthopedic and musculoskeletal disciplines; and

WHEREAS, Accredited undergraduate education programs in

athletic training include injury and illness prevention, first

aid, emergency care, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic

modalities and nutrition, and more than 70% of ATCs hold an

advanced degree; and

WHEREAS, The month of March is National Brain Injury

Awareness Month, and ATCs are becoming increasingly astute to

the need for brain injury awareness among coaches and athletes

and are on the front line of the assessment of brain injuries;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of March 2011 as "Certified Athletic Trainer Month" in

Pennsylvania.