IV 

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; 


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•HRES 771 IH 

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 


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•HRES 771 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Mesothe3 lioma Awareness Day; and 

4 (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation 

5 calling on the people of the United States, Federal 

6 departments and agencies, States, localities, organi7 zations, and media to annually observe a National 

8 Mesothelioma Awareness day with appropriate cere9 monies and activities. 

Æ 


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