PRINTER'S NO. 3459
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 654 Session of
2008
INTRODUCED BY HICKERNELL, ADOLPH, ARGALL, BAKER, BEAR,
BENNINGTON, BEYER, BISHOP, BOBACK, BOYD, CAPPELLI, CAUSER,
CLYMER, COHEN, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DALEY, DeLUCA, DENLINGER,
DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, J. EVANS, FABRIZIO, FLECK, FRANKEL,
FREEMAN, GALLOWAY, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE,
GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHART, HARPER, HELM, HENNESSEY,
HERSHEY, HESS, JAMES, KENNEY, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA,
MACKERETH, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MANTZ, MARKOSEK, McGEEHAN,
McILHATTAN, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILNE, MOUL, MOYER, MUNDY,
MURT, MUSTIO, MYERS, NAILOR, PALLONE, PARKER, PASHINSKI,
PAYNE, PETRONE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, PYLE, RAMALEY, RAPP,
READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROHRER, ROSS, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SANTONI,
SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STERN, SWANGER,
THOMAS, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, J. WHITE, WOJNAROSKI,
YOUNGBLOOD AND D. O'BRIEN, MARCH 24, 2008
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 24, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating May 12, 2008, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States,
4 including 6% to 8% of the population of our country, and
5 millions of people worldwide, have been diagnosed with
6 fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or
7 cure; and
8 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness increasing at
9 epidemic rates, which causes fatigue and debilitating pain in
10 women, men and children of all ages and races; and
11 WHEREAS, Patients with this illness often have to learn to
1 live with widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme
2 fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine
3 headaches, numbness and tingling, and impairment of memory and
4 concentration; and
5 WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a
6 diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently
7 are inadequately educated on fibromyalgia diagnosis and
8 treatment; and
9 WHEREAS, It is necessary that we recognize the medical
10 research demonstrating biochemical abnormalities in people with
11 fibromyalgia; and
12 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia in children and young adults presents
13 unique challenges for this population, who suffer not only from
14 the symptoms of this illness but also from the lack of
15 understanding and social acceptance; and
16 WHEREAS, People with fibromyalgia face discrimination from
17 employers, friends, family and the judicial system while dealing
18 with the ongoing stress of living with an unpredictable disease
19 and an uncertain future; and
20 WHEREAS, Employers could support their employees with
21 fibromyalgia by making adaptations to the work environment so
22 that people with fibromyalgia could continue to function at work
23 and not be forced to file for disability; and
24 WHEREAS, The National Fibromyalgia Association and other
25 fibromyalgia support organizations around our country have
26 joined together to promote fibromyalgia awareness and support,
27 including improved education, diagnosis, research and treatment;
28 and
29 WHEREAS, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope
30 for a better future for people with fibromyalgia; therefore be
20080H0654R3459 - 2 -
1 it
2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
3 needs of these chronically ill people and designate May 12,
4 2008, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and urge
5 all of our citizens to support the search for a cure and assist
6 those individuals and families who deal with this devastating
7 disease on a daily basis.
B5L82SFL/20080H0654R3459 - 3 -

PRINTER'S NO. 1281
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 221 Session of
2007
INTRODUCED BY HICKERNELL, BAKER, BEYER, BIANCUCCI, BOBACK,
BROOKS, CLYMER, COHEN, COSTA, COX, CREIGHTON, DENLINGER,
DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, D. EVANS, FABRIZIO, GALLOWAY, GEIST,
GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY,
HESS, HUTCHINSON, JAMES, KENNEY, KILLION, KORTZ, KULA,
MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MANTZ, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, McGEEHAN,
McILHATTAN, MELIO, MILLARD, MOYER, MURT, MUSTIO, NAILOR,
PALLONE, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, RAMALEY, RAPP,
READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROHRER, ROSS, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SCAVELLO,
SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STERN, SURRA, TANGRETTI,
R. TAYLOR, THOMAS, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI AND
YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 18, 2007
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 18, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating May 12, 2007, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States,
4 including 6% to 8% of the population of our country, and
5 millions of people worldwide, have been diagnosed with
6 fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or
7 cure; and
8 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness increasing at
9 epidemic rates, which causes fatigue and debilitating pain in
10 women, men and children of all ages and races; and
11 WHEREAS, Patients with this illness often have to learn to
12 live with widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme
1 fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine
2 headaches, numbness and tingling, and impairment of memory and
3 concentration; and
4 WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a
5 diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently
6 are inadequately educated on fibromyalgia diagnosis and
7 treatment; and
8 WHEREAS, It is necessary that we recognize the medical
9 research demonstrating biochemical abnormalities in people with
10 fibromyalgia; and
11 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia in children and young adults presents
12 unique challenges for this population who suffer not only from
13 the symptoms of this illness but also from the lack of
14 understanding and social acceptance; and
15 WHEREAS, People with fibromyalgia face discrimination from
16 employers, friends, family and the judicial system while dealing
17 with the ongoing stress of living with an unpredictable disease
18 and an uncertain future; and
19 WHEREAS, Employers could support their employees with
20 fibromyalgia by making adaptations to the work environment so
21 that people with fibromyalgia could continue to function at work
22 and not be forced to file for disability; and
23 WHEREAS, The National Fibromyalgia Association and other
24 fibromyalgia support organizations around our country have
25 joined together to promote fibromyalgia awareness and support,
26 including improved education, diagnosis, research and treatment;
27 and
28 WHEREAS, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope
29 for a better future for people with fibromyalgia; therefore be
30 it
20070H0221R1281 - 2 -
1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
2 needs of these chronically ill people and designate May 12,
3 2007, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and urge
4 all of our citizens to support the search for a cure and assist
5 those individuals and families who deal with this devastating
6 disease on a daily basis.
C27L82SFL/20070H0221R1281 - 3 -

PRINTER'S NO. 1410
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 252 Session of
2007
INTRODUCED BY COSTA, BARRAR, BEYER, BIANCUCCI, BISHOP, CLYMER,
COX, CREIGHTON, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, J. EVANS,
FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GALLOWAY, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS,
GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHART, HARRIS, HENNESSEY,
HERSHEY, HICKERNELL, JAMES, KENNEY, KILLION, KOTIK, KULA,
MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MANTZ, MARKOSEK, McGEEHAN, McILHATTAN,
MILLARD, MOYER, MUSTIO, MYERS, NAILOR, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE,
PARKER, PAYNE, PETRONE, PHILLIPS, PYLE, RAMALEY, RAPP,
READSHAW, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO,
SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STERN, R. STEVENSON, R. TAYLOR,
THOMAS, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, J. WHITE, YOUNGBLOOD, GILLESPIE
AND MILNE, APRIL 24, 2007
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 24, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the week of May 13 through 19, 2007, as
2 "Fibromyalgia Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States
4 have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia; and
5 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is caused by a chemical imbalance in
6 the brain and is associated with other central nervous system
7 abnormalities; and
8 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease for which there is
9 no cure; and
10 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia affects people of all ages, races and
11 socioeconomic backgrounds; and
12 WHEREAS, Diagnoses are made, on average, ten years after
1 onset; and
2 WHEREAS, Persons with fibromyalgia live with widespread pain
3 often described as burning, gnawing or aching; and
4 WHEREAS, Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, sleep
5 disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome,
6 chronic migraines, chest pain, morning stiffness and muscle
7 weakness; and
8 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia affects coordination, short-term memory
9 and cognitive function and causes mood swings, depression and
10 anxiety; and
11 WHEREAS, Health care costs for fibromyalgia and related
12 socioeconomic costs are an estimated $20 billion per year in the
13 United States; and
14 WHEREAS, Persons with fibromyalgia take at least three drugs
15 daily, at an average cost of $2,300 per year, to control
16 symptoms; and
17 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia can be as disabling as rheumatoid
18 arthritis: 30% of persons with fibromyalgia cannot work, and 26%
19 of those persons receive Social Security disability benefits;
20 and
21 WHEREAS, Workplace adaptations can alleviate symptom
22 aggravators for some affected individuals; and
23 WHEREAS, The National Fibromyalgia Association and other
24 fibromyalgia support organizations join in promoting public
25 awareness relating to education, diagnosis, research and
26 treatment; therefore be it
27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
28 week of May 13 through 19, 2007, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness
29 Week" in Pennsylvania and urge support for affected individuals
30 and research for a cure.
D2L82JS/20070H0252R1410 - 2 -

PRINTER'S NO. 2367
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 371 Session of
2008
INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, BAKER, STOUT, BOSCOLA, COSTA, FERLO,
GREENLEAF, RHOADES, LOGAN, KITCHEN, O'PAKE, WASHINGTON,
WONDERLING, MUSTO, KASUNIC AND PILEGGI, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Joint State Government Commission to create a
2 chronic pain task force and advisory committee to promote
3 professional and public education and awareness and improve
4 the quality of care for chronic pain patients.
5 WHEREAS, Chronic pain is a significant health problem
6 manifesting itself in various disorders and diseases, including,
7 but not limited to, migraines, low-back pain, temporomandibular
8 joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid
9 arthritis; and
10 WHEREAS, The average chronic pain patient can suffer for
11 several years prior to obtaining a correct diagnosis, resulting
12 in a worsened condition that is more debilitating and more
13 difficult and expensive to treat; and
14 WHEREAS, Chronic pain patients are often misunderstood by
15 family members, employers and physicians as malingerers,
16 depressives and hypochondriacs, due to inadequate knowledge of
17 chronic pain; and
18 WHEREAS, Several conditions may be mistakenly thought of by
1 some as mental health disorders that are actually pain
2 conditions as defined by the American College of Rheumatology
3 and should be treated as such; and
4 WHEREAS, Chronic pain patients look normal and can function
5 normally for short periods of time, but they quickly experience
6 debilitating pain and fatigue; and
7 WHEREAS, Evidence indicates that the incidence of chronic
8 pain may be increasing at a rapid rate; therefore be it
9 RESOLVED (the House of Representatives concurring), That the
10 General Assembly direct the Joint State Government Commission to
11 create a chronic pain task force consisting of two members
12 appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, two
13 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, two
14 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
15 and two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of
16 Representatives; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That the task force create an advisory committee
18 consisting of members who are individuals with knowledge and
19 expertise regarding chronic pain research, prevention,
20 educational programs and consumer needs to guide program
21 development; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That the committee be composed of one
23 representative from, and designated by, each of the following:
24 The Department of Health, The Hospital and Healthsystem
25 Association of Pennsylvania, the Health Care Cost Containment
26 Council, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, the
27 Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, the Pennsylvania
28 Society of Physician Assistants, the Pennsylvania State Nurses
29 Association, the Pennsylvania Cancer Pain Initiative, the
30 National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the Alliance for
20080S0371R2367 - 2 -
1 Academic Internal Medicine, the American Pain Society,
2 Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., the Arthritis
3 Foundation and one member to represent the rehabilitation
4 industry who shall be designated by the Pennsylvania Physical
5 Therapy Association, the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy
6 Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation
7 Facilities; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That in addition, two members of the committee be
9 chosen by the coordinated designation of the biotechnology and
10 pharmaceutical industries and four members at large shall be
11 designated by the task force upon the recommendation of the
12 advisory committee from among the Pennsylvania Academy of Family
13 Physicians, the Institute for Healthy Communities and the Public
14 Relations Society of America; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the task force study the feasibility of
16 developing and implementing a comprehensive Statewide public
17 education program on chronic pain to:
18 (1) Promote public awareness regarding chronic pain.
19 (2) Promote understanding of the importance of early
20 diagnosis and proper treatment and management.
21 (3) Improve the delivery of appropriate information,
22 programs and services and access to the most effective
23 treatments for chronic pain.
24 (4) Encourage research into the nature, cause and
25 treatment of chronic pain;
26 and be it further
27 RESOLVED, That the task force, in accomplishing its missions,
28 take into account guidelines that have been promulgated by
29 nationally recognized organizations which deal with chronic
30 pain; and be it further
20080S0371R2367 - 3 -
1 RESOLVED, That the task force and advisory committee
2 recommend an appropriate means of disseminating information to
3 the professional community and the general public; and be it
4 further
5 RESOLVED, That the task force and advisory committee
6 recommend sources of funds to carry out their recommendations;
7 and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the task force report its findings directly to
9 the General Assembly no later than two years after the adoption
10 of this resolution.
E21L82RLE/20080S0371R2367 - 4 -

PRINTER'S NO. 1993
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 306 Session of
2008
INTRODUCED BY VANCE, ERICKSON, BAKER, O'PAKE, BOSCOLA, BROWNE,
COSTA, DINNIMAN, FERLO, FOLMER, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, KASUNIC,
KITCHEN, LAVALLE, LOGAN, MUSTO, ORIE, PILEGGI, PIPPY, PUNT,
RAFFERTY, REGOLA, RHOADES, ROBBINS, STACK, STOUT,
TARTAGLIONE, TOMLINSON, WASHINGTON, M. WHITE, A. WILLIAMS,
C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING, WOZNIAK AND ARMSTRONG,
APRIL 29, 2008
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 29, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of May 2008 as "Arthritis Awareness Month"
2 in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases
4 that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and
5 connective tissue throughout the body, the most prevalent forms
6 of which are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid
7 arthritis; and
8 WHEREAS, One in five adults in the United States reports
9 having doctor-diagnosed arthritis; and
10 WHEREAS, The prevalence of arthritis is higher among women
11 than men; and
12 WHEREAS, Arthritis is the second most common chronic health
13 problems and the number one cause of limitation in movement in
14 the United States; and
15 WHEREAS, Arthritis costs the United States economy $124.5
1 billion per year in medical care and lost wages; and
2 WHEREAS, The specific causes of arthritis are not yet known
3 for most forms of the disease, but there are many things that
4 can be done to reduce the impact of arthritis on everyday life;
5 and
6 WHEREAS, The key to reducing the impact of arthritis is early
7 diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to the needs of each
8 individual; and
9 WHEREAS, Most treatment programs include a combination of
10 medication, exercise, rest, use of heat and cold, joint
11 protection techniques and sometimes surgery; therefore be it
12 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 2008 as "Arthritis
13 Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge residents of this
14 Commonwealth to be aware of the seriousness of this disease and
15 to seek appropriate treatment to minimize its impact on their
16 lives.
C20L82DMS/20080S0306R1993 - 2 -