House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fiftieth Legislature First Regular Session 2011

HOUSE RESOLUTION 2002

 

A RESOLUTION

 

commemorating efforts of the mexico-united states commission to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, 2012 marks the centennial year of Arizona statehood; and

Whereas, the livestock industry in all its many and varied forms has played a significant role in the development of our state's agribusiness economy over the last 100 and more years; and

Whereas, nearly 50% of our agricultural production is in livestock, and

beef cattle, including calves, are the leading source of Arizona farm income; and

Whereas, it is important to recognize the significant contributions of individuals who have played important roles in our state's history; and

Whereas, foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious infectious disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids.  The virus causes a high fever for two or three days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness; and

Whereas, there have been no cases of foot-and-mouth disease within the continental United States since 1929; and

Whereas, during 1946 in the Mexican State of Veracruz, foot-and-mouth disease appeared shortly after the importation of cattle from South America. Due to a delay in proper diagnosis and the movement of infected animals, the disease was soon spreading at the rate of 500 square miles a day; and

Whereas, the Mexico-United States Commission to Eradicate Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease, or Commission Mexico-Americana para la Erradication de la Fiebre Aftosa, was established in 1946 to fight and stop the spread of this devastating disease; and

Whereas, from April 1947 until April 1954, as many as 8,000 workers from both sides of the border, including soldiers, animal inspectors, veterinarians, support staff and volunteers from Arizona, worked tirelessly to stop the spread of the disease; and

Whereas, over one million animals, including cattle, swine and sheep, were lost during the eradication program; and

Whereas, in the summer of 1948 the Commission began the vaccination program, which resulted in more than 60 million doses of vaccine being used; and

Whereas, the final cost to stop the outbreak and prevent the spread into border states, including Arizona, was more than $136 million; and

Whereas, a large number of the "Aftosa" Commission members came from the State of Arizona, and their contribution directly benefited the livestock industry in our state and nation by helping to stop the spread of the disease northward into the United States; and

Whereas, the dedication, sacrifice and contributions of the Commission members prevented incalculable cost and negative impact that foot-and-mouth disease would have had on the state's livestock industry; and

Whereas, by their dedicated actions, Aftosa Commission members not only helped eradicate a disease using a vaccine for the first time in history, but showed that two sovereign nations could work together in a cooperative spirit to pursue a common goal.  These unselfish and dedicated individuals are indeed "the Greatest Generation."

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

1.  That the Members of the House of Representatives recognize and honor the selfless contributions of the Arizona members of the Mexico-United States Commission to Eradicate Foot-and-Mouth Disease that resulted in the preservation of the Arizona and American livestock industry.

2.  That the Members of the Arizona House of Representatives encourage schools and civic groups to teach and commemorate the important historical contributions of the Mexico-United States Commission to Eradicate Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease to save the livestock industry from possible devastation, thereby preserving the legacy of our state's rich livestock industry.