Reps. Clack, Gaffney, Hammel, Hammon, Proos, Johnson, Young, Constan, Meisner, Vagnozzi, Hood, Simpson, Mayes, Alma Smith, Warren, Coulouris, LeBlanc, Byrum, Lemmons, Miller, Gillard, Byrnes, Sak, Elsenheimer, Schuitmaker, Wenke, Hune, Angerer, Cushingberry, Meadows, Bauer, Cheeks, Lahti, McDowell, Lindberg, Condino, Sheltrown, Hopgood, Valentine, Spade, Espinoza, Melton, Bennett, Brown, Ebli, Dean, Polidori, Clemente, Farrah, Donigan, Tobocman, Hildenbrand and Pearce offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 99.

A resolution to commemorate May 2007 as Stroke Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of adult disability.  It strikes between 400,000 and 600,000 Americans each year.  Victims' brain cells are damaged by impaired circulation. Many victims never fully regain their physical and mental abilities.  Stroke costs this country more than $11 billion annually in medical treatment and lost productivity but far more regrettable is the immeasurable suffering it brings to victims and their families; and

Whereas, Stroke occurs suddenly, abruptly ending careers and thwarting plans for the future.  Its causes, however, are more subtle.  Stroke can result from a blood clot that blocks circulation, a buildup of fatty deposits in arteries that then become dangerously narrow, or the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.  Smoking, diabetes and stress also may contribute to a stroke attack; and

Whereas, Stroke can often be avoided by controlling its risk factors.  Paying attention to stroke’s warning signals, particularly the symptoms of a transplant ischemic attack, or “little stroke,” can prevent serious damage to a victim’s health and may even save his life.  During this temporary attack, a person may experience numbness, weakness, or tingling in an extremity or side of the face, momentarily lose sight in one or both eyes, or have difficulty speaking.  Such a “little stroke” requires immediate medical attention to prevent its profitable recurrence as a major attack; and

Whereas, Because so many of the condition’s risk factors can be minimized by personal effort, public awareness is the key weapon in conquering stroke.  The National Stroke Association, the National Heart Association, and other private voluntary agencies play an important role in educating the public about stroke and provide valuable services for victims and their families.  We will do well to support their efforts and to heed their advice in care for our health; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate May 2007 as Stroke Awareness Month and recognize the contributions it is making to educate Americans about stroke risk factors, prevention, symptom recognition, and acting fast to treat stroke; and be it further

Resolved, That we honor and join other organizations throughout the state and this country as they use this occasion to contribute to our citizens living healthier lives; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the National Stroke Association, the National Heart Association, and their local chapters throughout the state of Michigan.