2009 Senate Joint Resolution 24
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming May as American Stroke Month.
Whereas, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and in Wisconsin, killing about 145,000 people nationwide and about 3,000 Wisconsin citizens each year; and
Whereas, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability with about 800,000 new or reoccurring strokes per year in the United States and about 16,000 new or reoccurring strokes per year in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, the actions for American Stroke Month 2009 are “Know the Stroke Warning Signs and Act in Time"; educate the public and policymakers about the importance of recognizing a stroke and acting quickly during a stroke emergency; and promote the program “Power To End Stroke," to reduce stroke in African Americans, who are at a particularly high risk of the disease, by empowering them to reduce their risks, 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 and trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, and 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; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin state legislature does hereby proclaim May 2009 to be American Stroke Month in Wisconsin and urges all the citizens of our state 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 so that we might begin to reduce the devastating effects of stroke on our population.
