Bill Text: NY J00193 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023, as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month in New York State

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-01-11 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J00193 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00193-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 193

BY: Senator PERSAUD

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May  2023,  as   Myalgic   Encephalomyelitis/Chronic
        Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month in the State of New
        York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  May 2023, as Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month in the  State
of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day; and

  WHEREAS,  International  Myalgic  Encephalomyelitis/Chronic  Fatigue
Syndrome (ME/CFS) Awareness Day is observed every year on  May  12th  to
support  and  recognize  people  with  this  disease  and  other chronic
immunological  and  neurological  diseases  by  raising  awareness   and
providing useful information; and

  WHEREAS,  On  May  12,  2023,  people  from  across  the  world  are
encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness and show support  for  people
with  ME/CFS,  their  families and caregivers, and researchers who study
this disease; and

  WHEREAS,  ME/CFS  is  a  serious,  long-term  illness  that  affects
multiple body systems; people with this illness suffer from inability to
perform    usual    activities    associated   with   extreme   fatigue,
post-exertional malaise or PEM, sleep problems, and other problems  with
thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness; and

  WHEREAS,  In 2018, it was reported 1 to 2.5 million Americans of all
ages, races and  genders  are  living  with  ME/CFS,  and  approximately
62,000-152,000 people in New York; and

  WHEREAS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome persists
for  years  or  decades  due  to  a  lack  of treatments, leaving 25% of
patients housebound or bedbound, with many  students  unable  to  attend
school  and  75%-85%  of patients unable to work, costing the economy of
New York State millions of dollars; and

  WHEREAS, The National Academy of Medicine noted a lack of  knowledge
about  the  disease  due to a lack of research and funding for research,
owing largely to a lack of awareness of the disease; and

  WHEREAS, The National Academy of Medicine stated that as a result of
this lack of awareness and research,  many  patients  encounter  medical
professionals  who  doubt  the  existence  of  their  disease  and  have
tremendous difficulty being properly diagnosed and accessing appropriate
medical care; and

  WHEREAS, ME/CFS is a tragic, disabling disease  which  destroys  the
lives  of  many  patients  and  imposes a severe toll on their families,
friends, and caretakers; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done  to  increase  awareness
and  funding at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be
it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  May 2023, as Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month in the  State
of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.