A resolution designating the first week of April 2013 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".

Bill: 113-sres-66
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2013-02-28
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Environmental health

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Health promotion and preventive care
Latest action: action_date: 2013-03-18
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-02-28
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>Designates the first week of April 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. Urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health.</p>

action_date: 2013-03-18
action_desc: Passed Senate without amendment
text: <p><b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b></p> <p>Designates the first week of April 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. Urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health.</p>

tv_txt: III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 66 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 28, 2013 Mr. Baucus (for himself, Mr. Tester , Mrs. Boxer , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Reid , Mr. Durbin , and Mr. Isakson ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating the first week of April 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week .

Whereas dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted; Whereas the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause significant damage; Whereas asbestos fibers can cause cancer such as mesothelioma and asbestosis and other health problems; Whereas asbestos-related diseases can take 10 to 50 years to present themselves; Whereas the expected survival time for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months; Whereas, generally, little is known about late-stage treatment of asbestos-related diseases, and there is no cure for such diseases; Whereas early detection of asbestos-related diseases may give some patients increased treatment options and might improve their prognoses; Whereas the United States has substantially reduced its consumption of asbestos, yet continues to consume almost 1,100 metric tons of the fibrous mineral for use in certain products throughout the United States; Whereas asbestos-related diseases have killed thousands of people in the United States; Whereas exposure to asbestos continues, but safety and prevention of asbestos exposure already have significantly reduced the incidence of asbestos-related diseases and can further reduce the incidence of such diseases; Whereas asbestos has been a cause of occupational cancer; Whereas thousands of workers in the United States face significant asbestos exposure; Whereas thousands of people in the United States die from asbestos-related diseases every year; Whereas a significant percentage of all asbestos-related disease victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of office buildings and public facilities built before 1975; Whereas people in the small community of Libby, Montana, suffer from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, at a significantly higher rate than people in the United States as a whole; and Whereas the establishment of a National Asbestos Awareness Week will raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) designates the first week of April 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week ; (2) urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about the public health issue of asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Office of the Surgeon General.

tv_txt: III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 66 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 28, 2013 Mr. Baucus (for himself, Mr. Tester , Mrs. Boxer , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Reid , Mr. Durbin , and Mr. Isakson ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary March 18, 2013 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the first week of April 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week .

Whereas dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted; Whereas the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause significant damage; Whereas asbestos fibers can cause cancer such as mesothelioma and asbestosis and other health problems; Whereas asbestos-related diseases can take 10 to 50 years to present themselves; Whereas the expected survival time for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months; Whereas, generally, little is known about late-stage treatment of asbestos-related diseases, and there is no cure for such diseases; Whereas early detection of asbestos-related diseases may give some patients increased treatment options and might improve their prognoses; Whereas the United States has substantially reduced its consumption of asbestos, yet continues to consume almost 1,100 metric tons of the fibrous mineral for use in certain products throughout the United States; Whereas asbestos-related diseases have killed thousands of people in the United States; Whereas exposure to asbestos continues, but safety and prevention of asbestos exposure already have significantly reduced the incidence of asbestos-related diseases and can further reduce the incidence of such diseases; Whereas asbestos has been a cause of occupational cancer; Whereas thousands of workers in the United States face significant asbestos exposure; Whereas thousands of people in the United States die from asbestos-related diseases every year; Whereas a significant percentage of all asbestos-related disease victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of office buildings and public facilities built before 1975; Whereas people in the small community of Libby, Montana, suffer from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, at a significantly higher rate than people in the United States as a whole; and Whereas the establishment of a National Asbestos Awareness Week will raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) designates the first week of April 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week ; (2) urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about the public health issue of asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Office of the Surgeon General.