LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 2014, as Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses
that 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 memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2014, as Cancer Aware-
ness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 109,000 New Yorkers will be diagnosed
with cancer this year and about 34,000 will die from the disease; four
cancers, lung, prostate, breast and colorectal, will account for half of
all cancer diagnoses and nearly half of all cancer deaths in New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Lung cancer is the single largest cancer killer with an esti-
mated 8,790 deaths annually in the State; colorectal and pancreatic
cancers are predicted to be the second and third most frequent causes of
mortality; prostate cancer is New York's most common cancer; and
WHEREAS, Today, more people are being diagnosed with cancer but fewer
than ever are dying from it; the number of deaths has declined by 20% in
the last 23 years; research, interventions and public health laws passed
by the federal government have led to this decline; and
WHEREAS, January 2014, marked the 50th Anniversary of Surgeon General
Luther Terry's landmark report in 1964 linking cigarette smoking to
cancer; and
WHEREAS, Our country's political and public health leadership can
derive great satisfaction from the achievements which have followed from
a three-part strategy that has included raising taxes on tobacco
products, banning smoking in restaurants, bars and many other public
places, and increased funding for smoking cessation efforts; and
WHEREAS, Smoking rates declined from 42% in 1964 to 18% nationally and
16% in New York State; reductions in smoking have produced a 30 percent
increase in life expectancy in the United States from 1964 to 2012; and
WHEREAS, These successes are a clear indication of what strong public
leadership can accomplish; unfortunately, it is estimated that about
8,800 citizens of our state will die from lung cancer this year; smoking
still accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths and 85% of all lung cancer
deaths; and
WHEREAS, Public health organizations are working toward a goal of
reducing nationwide smoking rates to 12% by 2020 and 10% in the next ten
years; more efforts are needed to reach many sub-groups of the state's
population including rural residents, lower income residents, and those
with behavioral and substance abuse problems who continue to smoke at
much higher rates; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 2014, as
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the American Cancer Society.