LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 2016, as Stroke 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 issues 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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2016, as Stroke Awareness
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Stroke Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a
stroke; and
WHEREAS, Stroke, or brain attack, is the fifth leading cause of death
in the United States, killing 129,000 people annually; stroke can happen
to anyone at anytime, regardless of race, gender, or age; and
WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 55,000 more women than men will have
a stroke; and
WHEREAS, Almost 795,000 people will experience a stroke this year;
about 610,000 are new attacks and 185,000 are recurrent attacks; and
WHEREAS, Stroke is a medical emergency; prompt treatment of a stroke
could mean the difference between life and death, complete recovery and
disability; and
WHEREAS, Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability; there are
more than seven million stroke survivors in the United States, with
two-thirds living with moderate to severe disabilities; and
WHEREAS, More than one-third of Americans cannot identify a single
symptom of stroke, such as sudden trouble talking, walking or seeing;
paralysis, usually on one side of the body; and sudden severe headache
with no known cause even though there is now an easy and F.A.S.T. (Face;
Arms, Speech and Time) stroke recognition system; and
WHEREAS, Understanding the warning signs and emergency treatment can
save lives, reduce disability, and possibly even reverse all impacts of
the stroke; and
WHEREAS, The chance of having a stroke more than doubles for each
decade of life after age 55; while stroke is common among the elderly,
many people under 65 also have strokes; and
WHEREAS, Each year for the past six years, nearly 42,000 patients have
been treated for strokes at hospitals in New York State; the estimated
direct and indirect cost of stroke for 2010 was $73.7 billion; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2016, as Stroke
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Stroke Awareness Month, and to encourage all New York-
ers to ask their doctors about stroke prevention and the warning signs
of stroke; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.