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Senate Resolution

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A resolution urging support of the American Stroke

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Association's "Power to End Stroke" campaign and

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recognizing May 2008 as "Power to End Stroke Month" in

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Florida.

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     WHEREAS, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the

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United States, striking approximately 700,000 Americans each year

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and killing 150,000, and

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     WHEREAS, stroke is also a leading cause of serious long-term

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disability in the United States, with more than 1.1 million

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adults experiencing functional limitations or difficulty with

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activities of daily living resulting from stroke, and

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     WHEREAS, on the average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds in

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the United States and takes a life every 3 minutes, and

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     WHEREAS, the estimated direct and indirect costs of stroke

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in the United States this year will be greater than $62 billion,

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and

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     WHEREAS, the majority of Americans are unaware of their risk

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factors for a stroke and are unaware of the signs and symptoms of

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an impending stroke, and

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     WHEREAS, statistics show that African Americans have almost

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twice the risk of a first stroke compared to Caucasians,

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primarily because of their increased risk of hypertension, high

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cholesterol, and diabetes, and

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     WHEREAS, the American Stroke Association recently launched

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the "Power to End Stroke" campaign, the goal of which is to

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educate and empower African Americans, as well as those of other

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ethnic groups, to fight stroke in their communities, NOW,

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THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the Senate recognizes May 2008 as "Power to End Stroke

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Month" in Florida and urges all residents of this state to

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recognize that stroke must be taken seriously in order to reduce

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its risks.

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     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate urges all Floridians

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to support the American Stroke Association's "Power to End

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Stroke" campaign by becoming familiar with the warning signs,

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symptoms, and risk factors associated with stroke and live

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stronger, healthier lives.