H. Res. 771, “Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day,” has unanimously passed the House officially designating September 26th as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) in September last year, is at the end of the legislative process for simple resolutions and the resolution now takes effect. The corresponding Senate resolution, S. Res. 288, introduced by Senator Patty Murray (WA), passed in 2009.
When McCollum and Murray introduced the resolutions they noted that ‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day’ is a chance to raise awareness of the disease and to support the victims and their families. Their goal is for the national day to educate the nation about the causes of mesothelioma and the deadly effects of asbestos.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause mesothelioma, a serious cancer resulting from breathing in the asbestos fibers that then become lodged in the thin membrane that lines and encases the lungs. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. Close to 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year.
Some of the sections of note in the resolution include:
Whereas there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos;Whereas for decades, the need to develop treatments for mesothelioma was overlooked and today, even the best available treatments usually have only a very limited effect and the expected survival time of those diagnosed with the disease is between 8 and 14 months;Whereas the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear need for new agents to improve the outlook for patients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;Whereas millions of workers in the United States have been, and continue to be, exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers from Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, may be at increased risk of contracting mesothelioma in the futureThe next step, as listed in the resolution, is for the “President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States, Federal departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to annually observe a National Mesothelioma Awareness day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
