[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 137 (Friday, September 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9871-S9872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 288--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 26, 2009, AS ``NATIONAL 
                      MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY''

  Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Casey, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. 
Boxer, and Mr. Isakson) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 288

       Whereas mesothelioma is a terminal cancer related to 
     exposure to asbestos that affects the lining of the lungs, 
     abdomen, heart, or testicles;
       Whereas workers who are exposed to asbestos on a daily 
     basis over a long period of time are most at risk, but even 
     short-term exposures to asbestos can cause the disease;
       Whereas exposure to asbestos for as little as 1 month can 
     cause mesothelioma 20 to 50 years later;
       Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of virtually 
     all office buildings, public schools, and homes built before 
     1975, and more than 3,000 products sold in the United States 
     contain asbestos;
       Whereas there is no known safe level of exposure to 
     asbestos;
       Whereas millions of workers in the United States have been, 
     and continue to be, exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;
       Whereas the National Institutes of Health reported to 
     Congress in 2006 that mesothelioma is a difficult disease to 
     detect, diagnose, and treat;
       Whereas the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear 
     need for new treatments to improve the outlook for patients 
     with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;
       Whereas the need to develop treatments for mesothelioma was 
     overlooked for decades;
       Whereas even the best available treatments for mesothelioma 
     typically have only a very limited effect, and a person 
     diagnosed with mesothelioma is expected to survive between 8 
     and 14 months;
       Whereas mesothelioma has claimed the lives of such heroes 
     and public servants as Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and 
     Congressman Bruce F. Vento;
       Whereas many mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos 
     while serving in the Navy;
       Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, 
     police officers, and rescue workers who served at Ground Zero 
     on September

[[Page S9872]]

     11, 2001, may be at increased risk of contracting 
     mesothelioma in the future; and
       Whereas cities and localities throughout the United States 
     will recognize September 26, 2009, as ``Mesothelioma 
     Awareness Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 26, 2009, as ``National 
     Mesothelioma Awareness Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States, Federal 
     departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, 
     and media to observe National Mesothelioma Awareness day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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