Reps. Bieda, Gieleghem, Wojno, Accavitti, Drolet, Pappageorge, Rocca, Gillard, Adamini, Anderson, Byrum, Condino, Daniels, Dennis, DeRossett, Ehardt, Elkins, Farrah, Garfield, Gleason, Hager, Kolb, Kooiman, LaSata, Lipsey, McConico, Meyer, Middaugh, Phillips, Plakas, Richardville, Sak, Sheltrown, Shulman, Spade, Stallworth, Tabor, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Waters, Woronchak, Zelenko, Hardman, Jamnick, Minore and Murphy offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 244.

            A resolution recognizing May 12, 2004, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.
            Whereas, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, 6-8% of the population of our country and millions of people worldwide, have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  This is a disease for which there is no known cause or cure; and

            Whereas, Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic illness which is increasing at epidemic rates and causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, and children of all ages and races; and

            Whereas, Patients with this illness often have to learn to live with widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness, weakness, migraine headaches, numbness, tingling, and impairment of memory and concentration; and

            Whereas, It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inadequately educated on FM diagnosis and treatment; and

            Whereas, It is necessary that we recognize the medical research demonstrating biochemical abnormalities in people with fibromyalgia; and

            Whereas, Fibromyalgia in children and young adults presents unique challenges for this population who suffer not only from the symptoms of this illness, but also from the lack of understanding and social acceptance; and

            Whereas, People with fibromyalgia face discrimination from employers, friends, family, and the judicial system while dealing with the ongoing stress of living with an unpredictable disease and an uncertain future; and

            Whereas, Employers could support their employees with fibromyalgia by making adaptations to the work environment, so that people with FM could continue to function at work and not be forced to file for disability; and

            Whereas, The National Fibromyalgia Association and other fibromyalgia support organizations around our country have joined together to promote FM awareness and support including improved education, diagnosis, research, and treatment; and

            Whereas, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope for a better future for people with fibromyalgia; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body proclaims May 12, 2004, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the state of Michigan and recognizes the needs of these chronically ill people.  We urge all of our citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal with this devastating disease on a daily basis.