Assembly Resolution No. 225

BY: M. of A. Eachus

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 16-22, 2025, as Poison Prevention Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 16-22, 2025, as
Poison Prevention Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Poison Prevention Week; and

WHEREAS, Poison Prevention Week was established by the United States
Congress in 1961, with the aim of creating awareness and lowering the
number of unintentional poisonings; the first National Poison Prevention
Week was observed in March of 1962, under the presidency of John F.
Kennedy; today, it takes place the third full week of March each year;
and

WHEREAS, The primary goals of this week are to highlight the dangers
of poisoning for people of all ages, promote community involvement in
poisoning prevention and to raise awareness of prevention tactics; and

WHEREAS, Over two million potential poisonings are reported in the
United States every year, with over 90% of the cases occurring in the
home, and the majority of the individuals affected being young children;
every day over 300 children require treatment in emergency departments
of hospitals, with an average of two deaths per day being recorded; most
of these incidents are due to the accessing of highly toxic household
items such as cleaning products and medicine; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, the National Poison Prevention Week Council was
established to oversee National Poison Prevention Week; their work
focuses on partnering with other agencies such as the National Safety
Council and the American Cleaning Institute to try and be more effective
in their awareness campaigns; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
established weeks of awareness in effort to raise social consciousness
about issues affecting the citizens of New York State, and in
determination to increase the prevention of the negative circumstances
which affect the health and wellness of the populous; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 16-22, 2025, as
Poison Prevention Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.