HR 9111

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing May 2007 as "Arthritis Awareness
3	Month" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, arthritis refers to more than 100 different
6	diseases that cause pain, swelling, and limited movement in
7	joints and connective tissue throughout the body, the most
8	prevalent forms of which are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and
9	rheumatoid arthritis, and
10	WHEREAS, nearly 46 million American adults have been
11	diagnosed with arthritis and almost 3 million Floridians are
12	affected by arthritis, and
13	WHEREAS, arthritis is one of the most common chronic health
14	problems and the number one cause of limitation in movement in
15	the United States and costs Americans approximately $128 billion
16	and Florida approximately $5.1 billion in direct and indirect
17	expenses and costs, and
18	WHEREAS, the Arthritis Foundation's mission is to improve
19	lives through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of
20	arthritis and related diseases, and the Florida Chapter of the
21	Arthritis Foundation and the Department of Health of the State
22	of Florida work to protect and promote the health of Floridians
23	and extend efforts to prevent disease and injury, and
24	WHEREAS, the month of May, as National Arthritis Month,
25	allows time for people to become aware and to take control of
26	their arthritis, to seek preventive measures against its painful
27	and debilitating effects, and to modify their lifestyles and
28	activities in the pursuit of optimum health, NOW, THEREFORE,
29
30	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
31	Florida:
32
33	That the House of Representatives recognizes the month of
34	May 2007 as "Arthritis Awareness Month" in Florida and urges all
35	men and women to be aware of the seriousness of this disease and
36	to seek appropriate treatment to minimize its impact on their
37	lives.
38	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
39	presented to the Florida Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and
40	the Department of Health of the State of Florida as a tangible
41	token of the sentiments expressed herein.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.