A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE june 2023 AS "b.r.a.v.e. for jia MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas arthritis is a chronic health condition that is the nation's leading cause of physical disability. It includes more than one hundred rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, tissues that surround joints, and other connective tissue and is most common among people with multiple chronic conditions; and

Whereas arthritis causes pain and loss of movement and can limit everyday activities, such as walking and dressing, and can even lead to death; and

Whereas, arthritis affects an estimated fifty-four million American adults, representing twenty-four percent of adults in the United States; and

Whereas, an estimated three hundred thousand children under eighteen years of age have a form of arthritis or rheumatic conditions, representing approximately one in every two hundred fifty children in the United States; and

Whereas, arthritis affects over one million people living in this State. Among working-age adults with arthritis in South Carolina, forty-nine percent (over seven hundred thousand) have some type of work limitations due to their arthritis; and

Whereas about twenty percent of this nation's students ages twelve to eighteen have experienced bullying, and about sixteen percent of children in this State aged twelve to eighteen have experienced bullying; and

Whereas research indicates that persistent bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation, rejection, and despair, as well as depression and anxiety, which can contribute to suicidal behavior; and

Whereas, talking directly about bullying is an important step in understanding how the issue might be affecting kids and providing education about what bullying is, how it may be experienced, who can be targets of bullying, what to do when you are bullied, and the importance of being kind and respectful, can decrease the negative effects of bullying in South Carolina youth; and

Whereas, B.R.A.V.E. (Building Respect and Values for Everyone) is a platform providing youth in South Carolina schools the tools needed to promote safety, the inclusion of all children, respect and value for all people regardless of their differences; and

Whereas, research supporting better prevention strategies, intervention, and treatment is crucial to reducing the number of children experiencing bullying, especially those with disabilities; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication that Abigail Grace Cooper, Miss South Carolina High School America 2023, has displayed through her platform, B.R.A.V.E. for JIA, and her efforts to decrease bullying and increase support for juvenile arthritis in South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize June 2023 as "B.R.A.V.E. for JIA Month" in South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Abigail Grace Cooper, Miss South Carolina High School America 2023.

----XX----