ENROLLED SENATE
RESOLUTION NO. 82	By:	Shumate, Aldridge, Allen, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Boggs, Branan, Brecheen, Brinkley, Brooks, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Crain, Dahm, David, Ellis, Fields, Ford, Garrison, Griffin, Halligan, Holt, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Rob), Jolley, Justice, Loveless, Marlatt, Mazzei, McAffrey, Newberry, Paddack, Schulz, Sharp, Shaw, Shortey, Simpson, Sparks, Standridge, Stanislawski, Sykes, Treat and Wyrick

A Resolution recognizing the importance of stroke awareness and education; designating May 2014 as Stroke Awareness Month in the State of Oklahoma; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, killing about 130,000 people nationwide.  Stroke was the fifth leading cause of death in Oklahoma in 2012, resulting in 1,881 deaths; and

WHEREAS, nearly 78 million Americans have high blood pressure which is a major controllable risk factor for stroke, including 44 percent of African American adults, among the highest prevalence of any population in the world; and

WHEREAS, more than half (58%) of Americans don't know if they are at risk for stroke.  One in three Americans can't recall any stroke warning signs or symptoms; and

WHEREAS, The F.A.S.T. warning signs and symptoms of stroke include face dropping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 911.  Beyond F.A.S.T., additional stroke warning signs and symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause; and

WHEREAS, new and effective treatments have been developed to treat and minimize the severity and damaging effect of strokes, but more research is needed; and

WHEREAS, not only in May, but year-round, the American Stroke Association's Together to End Stroke initiative encourages Americans to learn their personal stroke risk, memorize and share warning signs, and call 911 at the first sign of a stroke.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

That the Oklahoma State Senate urges all citizens of the state to familiarize themselves with the risk factors associated with stroke, recognize the warning signs and symptoms, and at the first sign of a stroke dial 911 immediately so that we might begin to reduce the devastating effects of stroke on our population.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate designates May 2014 as "Stroke Awareness Month" in the State of Oklahoma.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Naomi Amaha, Oklahoma Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Adopted by the Senate the 13th day of May, 2014.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________