LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 24, 2016, as Tuberculosis Awareness Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days 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 memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 24, 2016, as Tuberculosis
Awareness Day in the State of New York in conjunction with the obser-
vance of World TB Day; and
WHEREAS, Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24th; this
annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch
announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that
causes tuberculosis (TB); and
WHEREAS, During this time, TB killed one out of every seven people
living in the United States and Europe; Dr. Koch's discovery was the
most important step taken toward the control and elimination of this
deadly disease; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, a century after Dr. Koch's announcement, the first
World TB Day was sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and
the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD);
the event was intended to educate the public about the devastating
health and economic consequences of TB, its effect on developing coun-
tries, and its continued tragic impact on global health; and
WHEREAS, Today, World TB Day is commemorated across the globe with
activities as diverse as the locations in which they are held; and
WHEREAS, Among infectious diseases, TB is now the leading killer of
adults in the world, with 1.5 million TB-related deaths in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Until TB is eliminated, World TB Day will not be a cele-
bration, but a valuable opportunity to educate the public on the devas-
tation TB can spread and how it can be stopped; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this infectious disease, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, state and national levels to educate and support those
afflicted as well as their families and caregivers; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 24, 2016, as
Tuberculosis Awareness Day in the State of New York; 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.