Bill Text: NY K00574 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 8-14, 2019, as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week in the State of New York

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-14 - adopted [K00574 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00574-Introduced.html

Assembly Resolution No. 574

BY: M. of A. Cusick

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        September 8-14, 2019, as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
        Awareness Week in the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set  aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
illnesses that 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 September 8-14, 2019,
as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week in the State of New  York,
in  conjunction  with  the  observance  of  National  Duchenne  Muscular
Dystrophy Awareness Week; and

  WHEREAS, Duchenne  muscular  dystrophy  is  the  most  common  fatal
genetic  disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately one in
every  3,500  live  male  births  (about  20,000  new  cases  each  year
worldwide);  since  the  Duchenne  gene is found on the X-chromosome, it
primarily  affects  boys,  however,  it  occurs  across  all  races  and
cultures; and

  WHEREAS,  Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in progressive loss of
strength and is caused by a  mutation  in  the  gene  that  encodes  for
dystrophin;  since  dystrophin  is  absent,  the muscle cells are easily
damaged; and

  WHEREAS, The progressive muscle weakness leads  to  serious  medical
problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs; young men
with  this debilitating disease typically live into their late twenties;
and

  WHEREAS, Becker  muscular  dystrophy,  which  is  less  severe  than
Duchenne muscular dystrophy, occurs when dystrophin is manufactured, but
not in the normal folin or amount; and

  WHEREAS,  Duchenne  muscular  dystrophy can be passed from parent to
child, but  approximately  35%  of  cases  occur  because  of  a  random
spontaneous mutation; in other words, it can affect anyone; and

  WHEREAS,  Although  there  are medical treatments that may help slow
its progression, there  is  currently  no  cure  for  Duchenne  muscular
dystrophy; and

  WHEREAS, Jar of Hope's mission is to find a cure through accelerated
research,  calls  for action in Washington D.C., demand optimal care for
all young men, and educate the global community; and

  WHEREAS, Scientists around the globe are conducting intense research
to understand  what  causes  muscle  dysfunction  in  Duchenne  muscular
dystrophy  and  to  apply  that  understanding  to  the  development  of
effective treatments; and

  WHEREAS, National Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy  Awareness  Week  will
highlight the importance of identifying and communicating early signs of
this  genetic  disorder  which  is  the  key  to  early  diagnosis; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September  8-14,  2019,
as  Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week in the State of New York;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and Jar of Hope.
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