LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2016, as Brain 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 March 2016, as Brain Injury Aware-
ness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Brain Injury Awareness Day on March 16, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay
tribute to the Brain Injury Association of New York State as it cele-
brates the 34th Anniversary of Brain Injury Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Since acknowledging March as Brain Injury Awareness Month,
the Brain Injury Association of New York State has been dedicated to
advocating on behalf of individuals with brain injury and their fami-
lies; and
WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of New York State has organized
the first-ever Brain Injury Advocacy Day in Albany on March 23, 2016;
and
WHEREAS, By educating, training, advocating, and supporting people
with brain injury, the Brain Injury Association of New York State has
ensured that no individual has to face brain injury alone; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of Brain Injury Awareness Month is to promote
prevention and educate the public about the dangers of brain injury and
prevent future brain injuries from occurring; and
WHEREAS, There are two types of brain injuries: traumatic brain injury
(TBI), caused by trauma; and acquired brain injury (ABI), which is
generally caused by strokes, tumors, or aneurisms; and
WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated 2.4 million children and adults in
the United States sustain a TBI, and another 795,000 individuals sustain
an ABI from non-traumatic causes; and
WHEREAS, TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all inju-
ry-related deaths in the United States; on average, 52,000 Americans die
every year of a TBI; and
WHEREAS, TBI can affect the functionality of the brain such as think-
ing, reasoning, and memory; and
WHEREAS, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI, account-
ing for over 30% of all TBIs in the United States; and
WHEREAS, About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or
other forms of mild traumatic brain injury; and
WHEREAS, Whether the victim is an adult, a child, or an infant, TBIs
can have a major impact on individuals and their families; over 5
million Americans live with a long term disability due to brain damage;
and
WHEREAS, Strokes are the leading cause of ABI, and claim the lives of
nearly 130,000 Americans each year, or one out of every 20 deaths; 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 brain injury;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2016, as Brain
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 Brain Injury Association of New York State.