LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to support H.R. 1150 and to request the FDA reduce antibiotic use
in livestock and protect human health

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, the only microbiologist in
Congress, reacted to a new study that conclusively identified trans-
mission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from live-
stock to humans; and
WHEREAS, Congresswoman Slaughter is the author of H.R. 1150, the
"Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act" (PAMTA); this
legislation amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to preserve
the effectiveness of medically important antimicrobials used in the
treatment of human and animal diseases; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 1150 is designed to stop the overuse of antibiotics on
the farm - a practice that is accelerating the growth of antibiotic-re-
sistant disease; and
WHEREAS, Currently, MRSA kills more Americans each year than HIV/AIDS;
the groundbreaking study was conducted by genetics researchers who
analyzed the genomes of MRSA bacteria from patients and their farm
animals, and found the samples to be genetically identical; and
WHEREAS, According to EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, the study confirms
animal-to-human transmission of MRSA; in reaction, Congresswoman Slaugh-
ter approached the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
and called for immediate action to reduce the use of antibiotics in
livestock; and
WHEREAS, Congresswoman Slaughter finds the extreme overuse of antibi-
otics in livestock is endangering human health; she reports, for
decades, the United States Food and Drug Administration has failed to
act in the face of a growing threat; these findings make it clearer than
ever that their failure is endangering human life; and
WHEREAS, The FDA must take strong federal action to reduce antibiotic
use in livestock and protect human health; and
WHEREAS, Currently, 80 percent of all antibiotics sold in the United
States are sold for agricultural use; most often, these antibiotics are
distributed at sub-therapeutic levels to healthy animals as a way to
compensate for crowded and unsanitary living conditions or to promote
growth; and
WHEREAS, Any effort to stop the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacte-
ria must address the overuse of antibiotics in food-animals; PAMTA is
supported by 450 organizations, including public health organizations,
scientists, the World Health Organization, American Medical Association,
National Academy of Sciences and small farmers across the United States;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to support
H.R. 1150 and to request the FDA reduce antibiotic use in livestock and
protect human health; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the State of
New York.