LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 7-13, 2012, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, six to
eight percent of the population, and millions of people worldwide have
been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, an illness for which there is no known
cause or cure; and
WHEREAS, A chronic syndrome that is increasing at alarming rates,
Fibromyalgia causes debilitating fatigue and chronic pain in women, men,
and children of all ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, Patients with Fibromyalgia often have to learn to live with
widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disor-
ders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, numbness and tingling,
and impairment of memory and concentration; and
WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagno-
sis of Fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inade-
quately educated regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia;
and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities
of life with Fibromyalgia will allow the community at large to better
support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic pain
disorder; and
WHEREAS, A nonprofit charitable organization, the National Fibromyal-
gia and Chronic Pain Association, has joined together with other groups
around the country, including the International Institute For Human
Empowerment based in New York State, to promote Fibromyalgia awareness
and support, including improved education, diagnosis, research and
treatment; and
WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment is the
sponsor of various Fibromyalgia awareness events, as well as, the Select
Empowerment Seminar report: "Fibromyalgia: Awareness, Advocacy, and
Action," encouraging the medical community, patients, employers, govern-
ment health and human rights agencies, educators, and caregivers, to
work together to support and improve the lives of Fibromyalgia patients;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, the National Fribromyalgia and Chronic Pain
Association is urging Fibromyalgia patients and their supporters,
healthcare providers and the general public to demonstrate their caring
by sharing the road patients walk, the facts about Fibromyalgia, and
ever-growing awareness about the etiology of this syndrome and potential
treatments; and
WHEREAS, The Neurosciences Department of Albany Medical Center in
Albany, New York, conducts medical research, and provides continuing
medical education for physicians and other healthcare providers, and
patients and caregivers, in Fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, Certain individuals living in the Capital District of New
York State have devoted much of their lives to educating patients, care-
givers, and healthcare providers about living well with Fibromyalgia:
Jonathan Cooper, M.D., Agnes Welch, and Betsy Shearer, through sponsor-
ing a Fibromyalgia Support Group for approximately 30 years that meets
at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, The community's focus on Fibromyalgia and its impact on
patients' lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people
with Fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chron-
ically ill people who suffer from Fibromyalgia, and urges all of our

citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals
and families who deal with this devastating syndrome on a daily basis;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to Proclaim May 7-13, 2012, as
Fibromyalgia 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; the International Institute For Human Empowerment; The Neurosci-
ences Department of Albany Medical Center; the Fibromyalgia Support
Group Leadership; and the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Associ-
ation.