1.1A Senate resolution
1.2proclaiming the third week of September as Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.
1.3WHEREAS, mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized
1.4compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells; and
1.5WHEREAS, mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90 percent of the energy
1.6needed by the body to sustain life and support growth; and
1.7WHEREAS, when they fail, less and less is generated within the cell, and cell injury and
1.8even cell death follow; and
1.9WHEREAS, if this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail,
1.10and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised; and
1.11WHEREAS, it is estimated that every 30 minutes a child is born that will develop a
1.12mitochondrial disease by age 10, and while the disease primarily affects children, adult onset is
1.13becoming more and more common; and
1.14WHEREAS, research has revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction is at the core of many
1.15common illnesses and chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
1.16Autism, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, and even the aging process; NOW,
1.17THEREFORE,
1.18BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it proclaims the third
1.19week of September as Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.
1.20BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.21enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.22Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the governor.

Peter S. WattsonSecretary of the Senate(Legislative)

Lawrence J. PogemillerChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Terri E. BonoffState Senator, District 43