HR 9135

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing May 12, 2008, as "Fibromyalgia
3	Awareness Day" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, an estimated 10 million people in the United
6	States - 6 to 8 percent of the population of our country - and
7	millions of people worldwide have been diagnosed with
8	fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or
9	cure, and
10	WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder - increasing at
11	alarming rates - which causes fatigue and debilitating pain in
12	women, men, and children of all ethnicities, and
13	WHEREAS, patients with this illness often have to learn to
14	live with widespread pain throughout their bodies; extreme
15	fatigue; sleep disorders; stiffness and weakness; migraine
16	headaches; numbness and tingling; and impairment of memory and
17	concentration, and
18	WHEREAS, it often takes an average of 5 years to receive a
19	diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently
20	are inadequately educated on the diagnosis and treatment of
21	fibromyalgia, and
22	WHEREAS, increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the
23	realities of life with fibromyalgia will allow the community at
24	large to better support people who struggle with the challenges
25	of this chronic pain disorder, and
26	WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia Association and other
27	groups around our country have joined together to promote
28	fibromyalgia awareness and support, including improved
29	education, diagnosis, research, and treatment, and
30	WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia Association is urging
31	fibromyalgia patients and their supporters, healthcare
32	providers, and the general public to be sympathetic to and
33	supportive of fibromyalgia patients and to share the facts about
34	fibromyalgia and the ever-growing awareness about its etiology
35	and potential treatments, and
36	WHEREAS, the community's focus on fibromyalgia and its
37	impact on patients' lives will help guarantee hope for a better
38	future for people with fibromyalgia, and
39	WHEREAS, the House of Representatives recognizes the needs
40	of these chronically ill people and commends the efforts of
41	citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those
42	individuals and families who deal with this devastating disorder
43	on a daily basis, NOW, THEREFORE,
44
45	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
46	Florida:
47
48	That May 12, 2008, is recognized as "Fibromyalgia Awareness
49	Day" in Florida.
50	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be
51	presented to the National Fibromyalgia Association as a tangible
52	token of the sentiments expressed herein.

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