Bill Text: NJ AJR39 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September 26th of each year as "Mesothelioma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-06-21 - Substituted by SJR24 [AJR39 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AJR39-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LINDA STENDER
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.
District 7 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Essex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblyman CRAIG J. COUGHLIN
District 19 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Chivukula and Green
SYNOPSIS
Designates September 26th of each year as "Mesothelioma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating September 26th of each year as "Mesothelioma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Little is known about mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer that involves the mesothelium, or the cells that line an organ, usually the lungs, abdominal organs or heart; and
Whereas, Three thousand Americans die from mesothelioma each year, with between 2,500 and 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year; and
Whereas, The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a material used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before 1975; and
Whereas, Most of those suffering from mesothelioma held jobs where they were repeatedly exposed to asbestos; 30 percent of all mesothelioma victims worked on U.S. Navy ships or shipyards, where asbestos was frequently used; and
Whereas, Although most people with mesothelioma were repeatedly exposed to asbestos, exposure to asbestos for as little as one month can result in a person developing the disease 30 years later; and
Whereas, It is believed that many firefighters, police officers and rescue workers exposed to asbestos-contaminated dust at Ground Zero following the 9-11 attacks could be at great risk for contracting mesothelioma in the future; and
Whereas, There is no cure or standard treatment for mesothelioma and the expected survival time of those diagnosed with the disease ranges from four to fourteen months; and
Whereas, The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, established in 1999, has made early progress in developing more effective treatments to combat the disease; and
Whereas, New Jersey owes it to those suffering from mesothelioma and their families, as well as those who may tragically develop the disease, to raise public awareness about mesothelioma and the need to develop effective treatments for the disease; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. September 26th of each year is designated as "Mesothelioma Awareness Day" in New Jersey, in order to promote increased public awareness about Mesothelioma, its causes and symptoms, and the need for effective treatments for the disease.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Mesothelioma Awareness Day" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates September 26th of each year as "Mesothelioma Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Little is known about mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer that involves the mesothelium, or the cells that line an organ, usually the lungs, abdominal organs or heart. Three thousand Americans die from mesothelioma each year, with between 2,500 and 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year. The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a material used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before 1975. Most of those suffering from mesothelioma held jobs where they were repeatedly exposed to asbestos, and 30 percent of all mesothelioma victims worked on U.S. Navy ships or shipyards, where asbestos was frequently used. Although most people with mesothelioma were repeatedly exposed to asbestos, exposure to asbestos for as little as one month can result in a person developing the disease 30 years later. It is believed that many firefighters, police officers and rescue workers exposed to asbestos-contaminated dust at Ground Zero following the 9-11 attacks could be at great risk for contracting mesothelioma in the future.
There is no cure or standard treatment for mesothelioma and the expected survival time of those diagnosed with the disease ranges from four to fourteen months. Although the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, established in 1999, has made early progress in developing more effective treatments to combat the disease, New Jersey owes it to those suffering from mesothelioma and their families, as well as those who may tragically develop the disease, to raise public awareness about mesothelioma, its causes and symptoms, and the need to develop effective treatments for the disease.
