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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 771 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 771

 Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness 
                                  Day.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 2009

  Ms. McCollum (for herself, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Cohen, Mr. 
Oberstar, Mr. Lance, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Bordallo, and Mr. Gene Green of 
 Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness 
                                  Day.

Whereas mesothelioma is a terminal, asbestos-related cancer that affects the 
        linings of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles;
Whereas workers exposed on a daily basis over a long period of time are most at 
        risk, but even short-term exposures can cause the disease and an 
        exposure to asbestos for as little as one month can result in 
        mesothelioma 20-50 years later;
Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, 
        public schools, and homes built before 1975 and asbestos is still on the 
        United States market in over 3,000 products;
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 agents to 
        improve the outlook for patients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-
        related diseases;
Whereas for decades, the need to develop treatments for mesothelioma was 
        overlooked and today, even the best available treatments usually have 
        only a very limited effect and the expected survival time of those 
        diagnosed with the disease is 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, and a high 
        percentage of today's mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos 
        while serving in the United States Navy;
Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and 
        rescue workers from Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, may be at 
        increased risk of contracting mesothelioma in the future;
Whereas the establishment of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day would raise 
        public awareness of the disease and of the need to develop treatments 
        and enhance public awareness for it; and
Whereas cities and localities across the country are recognizing September 26 as 
        Mesothelioma Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mesothelioma Awareness 
        Day; and
            (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation calling on 
        the people of the United States, Federal departments and 
        agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to 
        annually observe a National Mesothelioma Awareness day with 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>
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