ENGROSSED SENATE

CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION NO. 32                   By: Leftwich of the Senate

and

Lindley of the House

A Concurrent Resolution designating May 12, 1999, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the State of Oklahoma; urging all Oklahomans to educate themselves on the nature of this disease; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points.  The term “Fibromyalgia” means pain in fibrous and muscular tissues; and

WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia, according to the American College of Rheumatology, affects three to six million American women primarily during the childbearing age but can also affect children, the elderly, and men.  Sometimes Fibromyalgia occurs in more than one member of a family.  Stress, anxiety, depression, or inadequate sleep may contribute to it; and

WHEREAS, the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, but can be caused by an injury or trauma which causes changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength.  However, pain is the primary symptom.  It is most common in the neck, chest, arms, legs, hips, and back; and

WHEREAS, a person with Fibromyalgia looks normal, and a general physical examination is usually not adequate to identify the disease.  A further examination of the patient’s muscle will reveal tender areas at specific locations.  Other common symptoms are fatigue, which may be mild or severe, headaches, anxiety, depression, and problems with the digestive system, especially difficulty swallowing or recurrent abdominal pain; and

WHEREAS, the most successful treatment for Fibromyalgia is a healthy diet, balanced exercise, and rest.  Should diet, exercise, and adequate rest not relieve the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed; and

WHEREAS, although there is no known way to prevent Fibromyalgia, staying as healthy as possible with a good diet, safe exercise, and adequate rest is the best deterrent.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 47TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature hereby designates May 12, 1999, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in the State of Oklahoma.

THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature urges all Oklahomans to educate themselves on the nature of this disease.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

Adopted by the Senate the 24th day of May, 1999.

President     of the Senate

Adopted by the House of Representatives the ____ day of _______, 1999.

Speaker     of the House of

Representatives

ENROLLED SENATE

RESOLUTION NO. 16                   By: Riley

A Resolution proclaiming Saturday, May 12, 2001, "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in the State of Oklahoma; urging all citizens to support those seeking a cure and to assist those individuals and families who deal with this devastating disease; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, an estimated ten million people in the United States, 6-8% of the population, and millions of people worldwide have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (FM), a disease for which there is no known cure; and

WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness, increasing at epidemic rates, which causes fatigue and debilitating pain of a magnitude worse than Rheumatoid Arthritis in women, men, and children of all races and all ages; and

WHEREAS, patients of this illness have to learn to live with widespread pain in muscles, joints, and ligaments, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, Restless Leg Syndrome, numbness and tingling, impairment of memory and concentration; and

WHEREAS, it often takes an average of five years for a person with Fibromyalgia to receive an accurate diagnosis.  Medical professionals frequently are inadequately educated and updated on FM treatment and the newest research findings concerning this disease.  It is necessary that we recognize the medical research demonstrating biochemical abnormalities in people with Fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia in children and young adults presents unique challenges for this population who suffer not only with the symptoms of this illness, but also with the lack of understanding and social acceptance.  People with Fibromyalgia face discrimination from employers, friends, family, and the judicial system, while dealing with the ongoing stress of living with an unpredictable disease and an uncertain future; and

WHEREAS, the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Campaign and Fibromyalgia Support Organizations around our country have joined together to promote FM awareness, advocacy, and support, including improved education, diagnosis, research, and treatments.  Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope for a better future for people with Fibromyalgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 48TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate, recognizing the needs of these chronically ill people, proclaims Saturday, May 12, 2001, "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in the State of Oklahoma.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate urges all Oklahoma citizens to support those seeking a cure and to assist those individuals and families who, on a daily basis, deal with this devastating disease.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Virginia Cannon, National Fibromyalgia Awareness Campaign volunteer of the Glenpool, Oklahoma, Support Organization.

Adopted by the Senate the 9th day of May, 2001.

Presiding Officer of the Senate

ENROLLED HOUSE

CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION NO. 1079    By:   Gilbert, Adair, Adkins, Armes, Askins, Balkman, Benge, Blackburn, Blackwell, Bonny, Boren, Braddock, Brannon, Calvey, Carey, Cargill, Case, Claunch, Coleman, Covey, Cox, Dank, Davis, Deutschendorf, DeWitt, Dorman, Eddins, Ellis, Ericson, Erwin, Ferguson, Graves, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harrison, Hastings, Hefner, Hiett, Hilliard, Hutchison, Ingmire, Jones, Kirby, Lamons, Langmacher, Leist, Lindley, Liotta, Maddux, Mass, McCarter, McClain, McIntyre, Miller (Doug), Miller (Ray), Mitchell, Morgan (Danny), Morgan (Fred), Nance, Nations, Newport, O'Neal, Paulk, Perry, Peters, Peterson (Pam), Peterson (Ron), Pettigrew, Phillips, Piatt, Plunk, Pope, Reynolds, Rice, Roan, Roberts, Roggow, Smaligo, Smith, Smithson, Staggs, Stanley, Steele, Sullivan, Sweeden, Taylor, Tibbs, Toure, Trebilcock, Turner, Tyler, Vaughn, Walker, Wells, Wilson, Wilt, Winchester, Worthen, Wright and Young of the House

and

Horner, Aldridge, Branan, Brogdon, Cain, Capps, Coates, Coffee, Corn, Crutchfield, Dunlap, Easley (Mary), Fair, Fisher, Ford, Gumm, Harrison, Helton, Hobson, Johnson, Kerr, Laster, Laughlin, Lawler, Leftwich (Debbe), Lerblance, Littlefield, Maddox, Milacek, Monson, Morgan, Myers, Nichols, Price, Pruitt, Rabon, Reynolds, Riley, Robinson, Rozell, Shurden, Smith, Snyder, Taylor, Wilcoxson, Wilkerson, Williams and Williamson of the Senate

<StartFT>A Concurrent Resolution proclaiming the month of May 2004 as Arthritis Awareness Month in the State of Oklahoma; and directing distribution.<EndFT>

WHEREAS, the Arthritis Foundation estimates that there are about 70 million Americans, including 726,000 Oklahomans, 18 years of age and older who live with the challenges of arthritis and related conditions, such as scleroderma, lupus, gout and fibromyalgia; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis costs Americans annually $86.2 billion, $51.1 billion in direct costs and $35.1 billion in indirect costs; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also estimate that arthritis costs Oklahomans about $1.2 billion, $726 million in direct and $499 million in indirect costs yearly; and

WHEREAS, arthritis is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of work disability in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve the lives of Americans and Oklahomans through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the State Department of Health is to protect and promote the health of Oklahomans, to prevent disease and injury, and to assure the conditions for our citizens good health; and

WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Arthritis Network, established in 1999, is a collaborative partnership of health professionals, persons afflicted with arthritis, business leaders, educators, and private/public organizations that work at the community level to reduce the burden of arthritis and related conditions; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Oklahoma Arthritis Network is to increase public awareness of arthritis and related conditions and to maximize the quality of life for Oklahomans affected by these disabling conditions through the development of resources, promotion of access to appropriate health care management, and the promotion of education; and

WHEREAS, nationally the month of May is National Arthritis Month that focuses on urging people to take control of their arthritis by modifying their lifestyles and activities to achieve a healthier life.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 49TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature proclaims the month of May 2004 as Arthritis Awareness Month in the State of Oklahoma.

THAT copies of this resolution be distributed to the Arthritis Foundation, the Oklahoma Arthritis Network and the State Department of Health.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the <3rd> day of <May>, 2004.

Presiding Officer of the House of

Representatives

Adopted by the Senate the 13th day of May, 2004.

Presiding Officer of the Senate