LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying just tribute to the Epilepsy Foundation of
Northern New York upon the occasion of observing "Purple Day" on March
26, 2010

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing and
observing days of awareness of important medical conditions, in the
hopes of increasing education, treatment and cure; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is proud to pay just tribute
to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern New York upon the occasion of
observing "Purple Day" on March 26, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to
increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Every March 26th, people from around the world wear purple to
show support for people with epilepsy; in the United States, Purple Day
is an initiative of The Anita Kaufmann Foundation and in Canada, the
Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia; and
WHEREAS, Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine year-old Cassidy
Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada, who was motivated by her own struggles
with epilepsy; this inspirational young lady started Purple Day in order
to give people a forum to show support and express solidarity for those
with epilepsy and who have seizures, to show them that they are not
alone; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Cassidy Megan started this by writing to the members of
Canada's Parliament and asking them to wear purple on March 26th; almost
all members wore purple in support of her request and Purple Day was
established; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious day was named after the internationally
recognized color for epilepsy, lavender, a softer shade of purple; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, over 100,000 students worldwide wore purple in
support of this epilepsy awareness day, and hundreds of business and
community groups hosted awareness events; many United States leaders
also wore purple in observance of Purple Day; and
WHEREAS, The observance of Purple Day provides the opportunity to
educate people and bring much needed attention to this condition, with
the hopes of igniting increased research and funding for this worthy
cause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
just tribute to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern New York upon the
occasion of observing "Purple Day" on March 26, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern New York, 3 Washington
Square, Albany, New York 12205.