THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY REICHLEY, BAKER, BEAR, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, CUTLER, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, J. EVANS, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HELM, HENNESSEY, KILLION, McCALL, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MENSCH, MILLARD, MOUL, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, ROEBUCK, ROHRER, ROSS, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, STERN, SWANGER, TRUE, VEREB AND EVERETT, APRIL 28, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 28, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing May 2009 as "American Stroke Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term

disability and the third leading cause of death in the United

States, killing about 145,000 people nationwide and more than

7,000 Pennsylvanians each year; and

WHEREAS, The theme for "American Stroke Month 2009" is "Know

the Stroke Warning Signs and Act in Time" to educate the public

and policymakers about the importance of recognizing a stroke

and acting quickly during a stroke emergency and to promote the

program "Power to End Stroke" to reduce stroke in African

Americans, who are at particularly high risk of the disease, by

empowering them to reduce their risk, recognize the warning

signs and respond quickly; and

WHEREAS, Warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness or

weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the

body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding,

sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble

walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and sudden,

severe headache with no known cause; and

WHEREAS, Americans are more aware of the risk factors and

warning signs for stroke than in the past, but two in five

adults still cannot identify any symptoms; and

WHEREAS, New and effective treatments have been developed to

treat and minimize the severity and damaging effects of strokes,

but much more research is needed; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May

2009 as "American Stroke Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all the

citizens of this Commonwealth to familiarize themselves with the

risk factors associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs

and symptoms and, on first signs of a stroke, dial 9-1-1

immediately in order to reduce the devastating effects of stroke

on society.