PRINTER'S NO. 3842
No. 578 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY HERMAN, ADOLPH, ARMSTRONG, M. BAKER, BARRAR,
BEBKO-JONES, BUNT, CALTAGIRONE, CORRIGAN, COY, CRUZ, CURRY,
DALEY, DALLY, DERMODY, DeWEESE, DONATUCCI, J. EVANS,
FAIRCHILD, FEESE, FICHTER, FLEAGLE, FORCIER, GEIST, GEORGE,
GRUCELA, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, HORSEY, JAMES, KAISER, LAUGHLIN,
LEDERER, LESCOVITZ, LEWIS, MAITLAND, MAJOR, MARKOSEK,
McGEEHAN, McILHATTAN, McNAUGHTON, NAILOR, PICKETT, PIPPY,
READSHAW, ROSS, RUBLEY, SANTONI, SCRIMENTI, SHANER, B. SMITH,
SOLOBAY, STABACK, E. Z. TAYLOR, TIGUE, WALKO, WATSON,
WOJNAROSKI AND ZUG, MAY 7, 2002
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 7, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating May 12, 2002, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States,
4 including 6% to 8% of the population of our country, and
5 millions of people worldwide, have been diagnosed with
6 fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or
7 cure; and
8 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness increasing at
9 epidemic rates, which causes fatigue and debilitating pain in
10 women, men and children of all ages and races; and
11 WHEREAS, Patients with this illness often have to learn to
12 live with widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme
13 fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine
1 headaches, numbness and tingling, and impairment of memory and
2 concentration; and
3 WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a
4 diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently
5 are inadequately educated on fibromyalgia diagnosis and
6 treatment; and
7 WHEREAS, It is necessary that we recognize the medical
8 research demonstrating biochemical abnormalities in people with
9 fibromyalgia; and
10 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia in children and young adults presents
11 unique challenges for this population who suffer not only from
12 the symptoms of this illness but also from the lack of
13 understanding and social acceptance; and
14 WHEREAS, People with fibromyalgia face discrimination from
15 employers, friends, family and the judicial system while dealing
16 with the ongoing stress of living with an unpredictable disease
17 and an uncertain future; and
18 WHEREAS, Employers could support their employees with
19 fibromyalgia by making adaptations to the work environment so
20 that people with fibromyalgia could continue to function at work
21 and not be forced to file for disability; and
22 WHEREAS, The National Fibromyalgia Association and other
23 fibromyalgia support organizations around our country have
24 joined together to promote fibromyalgia awareness and support,
25 including improved education, diagnosis, research and treatment;
26 and
27 WHEREAS, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope
28 for a better future for people with fibromyalgia; therefore be
29 it
30 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
20020H0578R3842 - 2 -
1 needs of these chronically ill people and designate May 12,
2 2002, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and urge
3 all of our citizens to support the search for a cure and assist
4 those individuals and families who deal with this devastating
5 disease on a daily basis.
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