LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim March 10, 2009, as Occupational Health Awareness and Outreach
Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Each year a host of New Yorkers suffer from work-related
diseases such as lung disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, hearing loss,
pesticide poisoning and heavy metals poisoning; and
WHEREAS, To address this problem, the New York State Occupational
Health Clinic Network was created by the Legislature in 1987, offering
specialized medical diagnosis, high-quality care and support services
for ill workers from across New York suffering from occupational
disease; and
WHEREAS, Since their inception, the New York State Occupational Health
Clinic Network, as this consortium is formally known, has grown to
include 12 clinical centers of excellence, with a primary focus on the
provision of the highest quality occupational medicine services,
specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of occupational
diseases for the gamut of New York State's working population; and
WHEREAS, Operating in conjunction with local, state and federal
governmental agencies, unions and employers, the Occupational Health
Clinic Network remains instrumental in providing appropriate response
and treatment for a variety of public health challenges faced by New
York's working families; aiding teachers, firefighters, garment, trans-
it, office and agricultural workers - that is, the range of workers
across New York, playing a critical role in ensuring the health and
economic viability of New York; and serving as advisors to key State
legislative task forces as important worker and public health policy
issues; and
WHEREAS, In tribute to the Network, whose dedication to workers and
health and safety issues across New York additionally spurred the
creation of the State's Annual Occupational health Awareness and
Outreach Day, commemorated March 10, 2009, to raise awareness to the
prevalence and impact of work-related illness and injuries, promote
prevention, education and training initiatives, and spotlight the unique
work of the New York State Network among other noted health, training
and safety programs; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim March 10, 2009, Occu-
pational Health Awareness and Outreach Day in the State of New York in
special tribute to the dedicated efforts and work of the New York State
Occupational Health Clinic Network and working families across the State
of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.