_____________
resolution NO. _____________
By Request of the ****
A resolution of the House
of Representatives of the state of montana to recognize and support the center
for asbestos related disease.
WHEREAS, dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible
and cannot be smelled or tasted; and
WHEREAS, the inhalation of airborne asbestos
fibers can cause significant damage; and
WHEREAS, asbestos fibers can cause cancer, including
mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health problems; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases
can take between 10 and 50 years to present themselves; and
WHEREAS, the projected life expectancy for an
individual diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months; and
WHEREAS, little is known about late-stage
treatment of asbestos-related diseases, and there is no cure for those
diseases; and
WHEREAS, early detection of asbestos-related
diseases may give some patients increased treatment options and may improve the
prognoses of those patients; and
WHEREAS, although the consumption of asbestos
within the United States has been substantially reduced, the United States
continues to consume tons of the fibrous mineral each year for use in certain
products; and
WHEREAS, thousands of people in the United States
have died from asbestos-related diseases and thousands more die every year from
those diseases; and
WHEREAS, although individuals continue to be
exposed to asbestos, safety measures relating to the prevention of asbestos
exposure have significantly reduced the incidence of asbestos-related diseases
and can further reduce the incidence of those diseases; and
WHEREAS, thousands of workers in the United
States face significant asbestos exposure, which has been a cause of
occupational cancer; and
WHEREAS, a significant percentage of victims of
asbestos-related diseases were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in
shipyards; and
WHEREAS, asbestos was used in the construction of
a significant number of office buildings and public facilities built before
1975; and
WHEREAS, people in the small community of Libby,
Montana, suffer from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, at a
significantly higher rate than individuals in the United States as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease is
the nation's leading diagnostic and clinic treatment facilities of illness
related to asbestos; and
WHEREAS, the clinical and medical expertise
gained at the Center for Asbestos Related Disease clinic serves as a resource
to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases across the state of Montana
and the nation.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of
Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
The Center for Asbestos Related Disease is designated as a Center of Excellence in
Montana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send
a copy of this resolution to the Center for Asbestos Related Disease.
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________