Bill Text: NY J02595 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2020, as Asthma Awareness Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-28 - ADOPTED [J02595 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02595-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2595

BY: Senator PARKER

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        May  2020, as Asthma Awareness Month in the State of
        New York

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

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2020, as Asthma Awareness Month
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the  observance  of  World
Asthma Day on Tuesday, May 5, 2020; and

  WHEREAS,  Asthma affects nearly 15 million Americans; more than five
percent of the United States population with the overwhelming burden  of
this disease being felt predominantly by children, the poor and minority
communities across the nation; and

  WHEREAS,  According  to  the  Centers for Disease Control, there are
over a million New Yorkers suffering from asthma,  a  rate  higher  than
those  of  states  like  California, Florida and Texas which have larger
populations; and

  WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency  released
information  classifying  New York as the state with the dirtiest air in
the nation; yet school districts and  municipal  transportation  systems
continue  to  use  diesel-fuel  burning  vehicles  that  exacerbate  the
situation by increasing pollution levels; and

  WHEREAS, With over 50,000 school buses transporting over  2  million
school-age  children  daily  throughout the State, it is easy to see how
such decisions in aggregate are part of the negligence and neglect  that
negatively impacts all our lives; and

  WHEREAS, Given that children often ride the school bus every day for
many  years,  this  type  of  exposure  accumulates, translating into an
unacceptably high risk of developing  cancer  and  respiratory  diseases
later in life; and

  WHEREAS,  Asthma  is  the leading cause of school absenteeism due to
chronic illness and is the second most significant respiratory condition
as a cause of home confinement for adults; each year, asthma causes more
than 18 million days of restricted activity, and millions of  visits  to
physicians' offices and emergency rooms; and

  WHEREAS,  The documented increases in air pollution in New York City
combined with the proximity of school buildings to  diesel-fuel  burning
bus depots, major highways, waste transfer stations and industrial parks
are increasing the levels of asthma to epidemic proportions; and

  WHEREAS,  It is understood that we cannot immediately remove all the
causes of air pollution from around our schools and communities, but  we

can  still  reduce  the  impact  of this disease on children by lowering
their exposure to illness causes and disease aggravating pollutants such
as diesel-fuel burning buses and their toxic emissions; and

  WHEREAS,  The  asthma  epidemic  facing  our communities in New York
State is a health care issue that  can  no  longer  be  ignored;  it  is
imperative   that   we   focus  on  this  matter,  especially  with  its
disproportionate impact on minorities, children, and  the  impoverished;
now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim  May  2020,  as  Asthma
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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.