Senate Resolution No. 898

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 24, 2017, 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 24, 2017, as
Tuberculosis Awareness Day in the State of New York in conjunction with
the observance 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
countries, 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
celebration, but a valuable opportunity to educate the public on the
devastation 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, 2017, as
Tuberculosis Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.