Senate Resolution No. 737

BY: Senator HANNON

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 22, 2017, as Brain Injury Awareness Day 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 22, 2017, as Brain Injury
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Brain Injury Awareness Day on March 22, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay
tribute to the Brain Injury Association of New York State as it
celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Brain Injury Awareness Day; 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
families; 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 Day 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
injury-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
thinking, reasoning, and memory; and

WHEREAS, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI,
accounting 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 22, 2017, as
Brain Injury Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and the Brain Injury Association of New York State.