LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim February 3-9, 2009, as Kawasaki Disease Awareness Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease (Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome) is an
acute febrile illness with inflammation of small and medium-sized blood
vessels throughout the body, in particular, the coronary arteries; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
David A. Paterson to proclaim February 3-9, 2009, as Kawasaki Disease
Awareness Week in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease is named for Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki, a Japa-
nese physician, who first described the illness in 1967; this disorder
is accompanied by fever, rash, swelling of the hands, feet, and redden-
ing of the eyes; and
WHEREAS, Kawasaki Disease mainly affects children under the age of
four but can affect any age child or adult, with it affecting people in
all racial and ethnic groups; approximately 3,000-4,000 children are
diagnosed each year in the United States with this devastating disease;
and
WHEREAS, An accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are important in
that Kawasaki Disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in
children; and
WHEREAS, Due to the rarity of Kawasaki Disease and the lack of aware-
ness of the illness and its dangerous effects, children are often diag-
nosed late which can be fatal; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim February 3-9, 2009,
as Kawasaki Disease Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and to the Kawasaki Disease Foundation.