2015 Senate Joint Resolution 17
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming March 2015 as Concussion Awareness Month.
Whereas, concussions are a mild form of traumatic brain injury that interfere with normal brain function, and can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or any blow to the body that causes the head to move back and forth rapidly; and
Whereas, although classified as a mild form of traumatic brain injury because they are usually non-life-threatening, concussions must still be taken seriously; and
Whereas, concussion symptoms are vast and range from mild to severe and may include headaches that will not go away, having more trouble than usual remembering things or concentrating, confusion about recent events, feeling tired all the time, feeling sad or anxious, or becoming easily irritated or angry for little or no reason; and
Whereas, although for many, recovery from concussions is a quick process, the effects can be long-term, and those who have had a head injury are two to four times more likely to have another head injury; and
Whereas, in high school sports alone, concussions suffered by athletes have more than doubled between the 2005-06 school year and the 2012-13 school year and now make up 23 percent of high school athletic injuries; and
Whereas, 20 percent of the 1.5 million head injuries that occur in the United States each year are sports-related; and
Whereas, parents, coaches, and athletic trainers should be fully aware of concussion symptoms, be able to identify them in children, not allow children to return to play until they are completely asymptomatic, and make sure their return is gradual based on their recovery; and
Whereas, while the short-term effects of concussions are well known and easily identifiable in individuals, the long-term effects are still unclear; and
Whereas, although research into the subject is new, early reports suggest that even a single concussion may cause lasting brain damage, including structural brain damage in regions of the brain linked to mood disorders and depression; and
Whereas, in fact, between 10 to 20 percent of those who have had a concussion may go on to develop chronic problems; and
Whereas, future research into this subject should be encouraged in order to better educate ourselves on the severity of effects individuals face after suffering one or multiple concussions; and
Whereas, our continued support of further education about concussions can lead to a better understanding of the precautions we can take to prevent the increasing number of concussions suffered by high school athletes; and
Whereas, with the help of medical specialists and dedicated parents, coaches, and athletic trainers, we can hope to return high school sports to the fun and beneficial experience they should be; and
Whereas, the establishment of Concussion Awareness Month will provide the opportunity to share experiences and information and raise public awareness about concussions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature hereby proclaims March 2015 as Concussion Awareness Month in Wisconsin.
