LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2015 as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in calling attention to
serious medical conditions which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2015 as Spinal Cord Inju-
ry Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, The mission of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month is
to ask people: Will You Stand Up for Those Who Can't?; the month also
helps raise awareness regarding spinal cord injuries and the services
and support needed by individuals who sustain them; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month strives to
educate that while not all spinal cord injuries can be prevented,
certain high-risk behaviors can be identified and eliminated such as
safe driving techniques and increased self-awareness/focus; and
WHEREAS, In the United States alone, there are an estimated 275,000
people living with a spinal cord injury; a majority of injuries occur
from motor vehicle accidents, falls, work-related accidents, and sports
injuries; furthermore, a number of our wounded veterans suffer from this
affliction; and
WHEREAS, Every 48 seconds, a person becomes paralyzed and approximate-
ly 12,000 people are paralyzed each year in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the largest
national non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of
people with spinal cord injuries; their work through initiatives in
advocacy and government policy has been vital in issues affecting disa-
bility travel, accessible buildings and universal designs for persons
suffering from paralysis; and
WHEREAS, With governments around the world reducing spending on
medical care, disability equipment and housing, it is becoming increas-
ingly more vital to raise spinal cord injury awareness so charities can
provide essential equipment and services for those in need; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress has recognized September as
National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, acknowledging the critical
need for better treatments and preventive measures on behalf of individ-
uals with a spinal cord injury and their families; and
WHEREAS, By increasing funding for education, training, and support of
people with such medical conditions, the National Spinal Cord Injury
Association fights to ensure no individual has to face spinal cord inju-
ry alone; and
WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of New York to recognize
the achievements made and to continue these efforts by promoting the
prevention and educating the public about the dangers of spinal cord
injury; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2015 as
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month 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, and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.