PRINTER'S NO. 1047
No. 72 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, SCHWARTZ, TOMLINSON, BRIGHTBILL,
MURPHY, O'PAKE, BOSCOLA, TILGHMAN, THOMPSON, COSTA, SLOCUM,
MUSTO, HELFRICK, HUGHES, LAVALLE, KUKOVICH, MOWERY AND
MELLOW, MAY 4, 1999
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 4, 1999
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating May 12, 1999, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder manifested by
4 widespread muscular pain, fatigue and insomnia; and
5 WHEREAS, The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but an injury
6 or a trauma that affects the central nervous system may trigger
7 it; and
8 WHEREAS, The American Medical Association, the World Health
9 Organization, the American College of Rheumatology and the
10 National Institutes of Health recognize fibromyalgia as a
11 painful and debilitating disorder of the central nervous system;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, Available data suggest that approximately 3.7
14 million people in the United States have fibromyalgia; and
15 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia primarily occurs in women of
16 childbearing age but also may affect children, the elderly and
17 men; and
1 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many
2 of its symptoms mimic those of other diseases; and
3 WHEREAS, The effects of fibromyalgia gradually result in a
4 significant reduction in physical activity because of muscular
5 pain and fatigue; and
6 WHEREAS, Treatment for fibromyalgia is comprehensive, and
7 patients may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication,
8 physical therapy and relaxation; and
9 WHEREAS, There needs to be greater awareness and
10 understanding of fibromyalgia; and
11 WHEREAS, "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" is observed on May 12th
12 each year nationally and internationally; therefore be it
13 RESOLVED, That the Senate of Pennsylvania designate May 12,
14 1999, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and urge
15 all Pennsylvanians to become aware and seek a better
16 understanding of fibromyalgia.
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