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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 288 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 288

 Designating September 26, 2009, as ``National Mesothelioma Awareness 
                                 Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 25, 2009

 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Casey, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. 
 Boxer, and Mr. Isakson) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Designating September 26, 2009, as ``National Mesothelioma Awareness 
                                 Day''.

Whereas mesothelioma is a terminal cancer related to exposure to asbestos that 
        affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles;
Whereas workers who are exposed to asbestos on a daily basis over a long period 
        of time are most at risk, but even short-term exposures to asbestos can 
        cause the disease;
Whereas exposure to asbestos for as little as 1 month can cause mesothelioma 20 
        to 50 years later;
Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, 
        public schools, and homes built before 1975, and more than 3,000 
        products sold in the United States contain asbestos;
Whereas there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos;
Whereas millions of workers in the United States have been, and continue to be, 
        exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health reported to Congress in 2006 that 
        mesothelioma is a difficult disease to detect, diagnose, and treat;
Whereas the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear need for new treatments 
        to improve the outlook for patients with mesothelioma and other 
        asbestos-related diseases;
Whereas the need to develop treatments for mesothelioma was overlooked for 
        decades;
Whereas even the best available treatments for mesothelioma typically have only 
        a very limited effect, and a person diagnosed with mesothelioma is 
        expected to survive between 8 and 14 months;
Whereas mesothelioma has claimed the lives of such heroes and public servants as 
        Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and Congressman Bruce F. Vento;
Whereas many mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while serving in the 
        Navy;
Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and 
        rescue workers who served at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, may be 
        at increased risk of contracting mesothelioma in the future; and
Whereas cities and localities throughout the United States will recognize 
        September 26, 2009, as ``Mesothelioma Awareness Day'': Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 26, 2009, as ``National 
        Mesothelioma Awareness Day''; and
            (2) calls on the people of the United States, Federal 
        departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, 
        and media to observe National Mesothelioma Awareness day with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>
```