Hawaii-2013-HR18-Introduced

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system; and

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of male cancer-related death in the United States; and

WHEREAS, an estimated eight hundred men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and one hundred ten men will die of prostate cancer in Hawaii during 2013; and

WHEREAS, although the incident and mortality rate of prostate cancer in men is comparable to that of breast cancer in women, prostate cancer receives far less national and local attention; and

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society recommends that men of all ages be provided with sufficient information about the benefits and limitations of prostate cancer testing and early detection to allow them to make a decision based on their personal values and preferences; and

WHEREAS, increasing public awareness of prostate cancer is essential to prostate cancer prevention and early treatment because such awareness encourages men and families to learn about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment options; and

WHEREAS, the color blue is associated with prostate cancer, similar to the association of pink with breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, on August 31, 2012, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation proclaiming September 2012 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month" and encouraged all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other groups to participate in activities increasing prostate cancer awareness and prevention; and

WHEREAS, on August 3, 2001, the United States Senate unanimously agreed to Senate Resolution No. 138, designating the month of September 2001 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month," to promote the education and the awareness of prostate cancer; and

WHEREAS, on August 28, 2012, Governor Neil Abercrombie and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz proclaimed September 2012 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Hawaii and encouraged the people of the Aloha State to support men who suffer from prostate cancer and encouraged others to take advantage of early detection screening opportunities; and

WHEREAS, during September 2012, the Department of Accounting and General Services permitted a banner to be displayed on the state capitol grounds that encouraged men to speak with their physicians about prostate cancer; and

WHEREAS, on August 15, 2012, the Honolulu City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 12-174, requesting the City Administration to participate in the Hawaii Prostate Cancer Coalition's initiative to "Light Honolulu Hale Blue;" and

WHEREAS, during September 2012, Honolulu Hale was lit blue; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the Department of Accounting and General Services is requested to participate in the Hawaii Prostate Cancer Coalition's initiative "Light the State Capitol Blue" during a portion of the 2013 Regular Session of the Legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Comptroller is requested to permit a banner encouraging men to speak to their physicians about prostate cancer to be hung on the state capitol grounds during the month of September 2013; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Comptroller.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Prostate Cancer; Light the State Capitol Blue

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	18
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII