Bill Text: NJ SJR22 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates third Wednesday in May as "ALS Awareness Day" and May as "ALS Awareness Month" in NJ.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-04 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SJR22 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SJR22-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates third Wednesday in May as "ALS Awareness Day" and May as "ALS Awareness Month" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the third Wednesday in May as "ALS Awareness Day" and the month of May as "ALS Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord; and
Whereas, The disease strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, and as many as 30,000 men and women in the United States have the disease at any given time; and
Whereas, There presently is no cure for ALS; however, with recent advancements in research and improved medical care, many patients are living longer, more productive lives; and
Whereas, It is crucial to provide scientific, medical, and emotional support for individuals and families affected by ALS, to heighten public awareness of the devastating effects of the disease, and to promote the significant advancements in quality of life opportunities that are available to those with ALS; and
Whereas, The annual Walk to Defeat ALS, which is the ALS Association's national signature event, will be held at various locations in the State during the month of May; and
Whereas, The goals of the annual Walk to defeat ALS are to increase public awareness of ALS and to raise necessary funds to support ALS-Chapter programs and services, as well as nationally directed research programs; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The third Wednesday in May of each year is designated as "ALS Awareness Day," and the month of May of each year is designated as "ALS Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of the State to observe "ALS Awareness Day" and "ALS Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs to increase public awareness of ALS and the importance of research and funding to find a cure for the disease.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the third Wednesday in May of each year as "ALS Awareness Day," and the month of May in each year as "ALS Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The purpose of the designations is to increase public awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the importance of research and funding to find a cure for the disease.
ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70.
The committee amended the resolution to correct references to the annual walk of the ALS Association, which is the Walk to Defeat ALS.
