JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3
A JOINT RESOLUTION designating May of each year as “Fibromyalgia Awareness Month” in
New Jersey.
WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States and millions more worldwide
have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or cure;
and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness, which is increasing at epidemic rates and causes
fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, and children of all ages and races; and
WHEREAS, Patients with this illness often have to learn to live with widespread pain throughout
their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches,
numbness and tingling, and impairment of memory and concentration; and
WHEREAS, The National Fibromyalgia Association reports that it is estimated that it takes an
average of five years for an accurate diagnosis; many physicians are not adequately informed
about fibromyalgia and symptoms of fibromyalgia overlap other conditions; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat and lifestyle adaptations such as getting
adequate sleep, exercise, nutrition, and taking pain medication may be necessary; and
WHEREAS, Treatment of fibromyalgia may require a team approach that includes the person’s
primary care physician, a rheumatologist or neurologist, and other health care providers who
provide treatments such as physical therapy, therapeutic massage, acupressure, acupuncture,
and osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation, in order to establish a multifaceted and
individualized approach to treat the person’s fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia in children and young adults presents unique challenges for this
population, who suffer not only from the symptoms of this illness but also from a lack of
understanding and social acceptance; and
WHEREAS, 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 uncertain future; and
WHEREAS, Employers could support their employees with fibromyalgia by making adaptations
to the work environment so that people with fibromyalgia could continue to function at work
and avoid having to seek disability payments; and
WHEREAS, The National Fibromyalgia Association and other fibromyalgia support organizations
around the country have joined together to promote fibromyalgia awareness and support for
people with fibromyalgia, including efforts to improve education, diagnosis, research and
treatment; and
WHEREAS, Understanding this illness will help guarantee hope for a better future for people with
fibromyalgia; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.36:2-113 "Fibromyalgia Awareness Month," May; designated.
1. May of each year is designated as “Fibromyalgia Awareness Month” in New Jersey to
foster awareness and understanding of fibromyalgia among health care professionals and the
general public.
C.36:2-114 Observance of "Fibromyalgia Awareness Month."
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing
May as “Fibromyalgia Awareness Month” in New Jersey and calling upon public officials
and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
P.L. 2008, Joint Resolution No. 3
2
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
Approved May 30, 2008.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim May 10-16, 2010, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, six to
eight percent of the population, and millions of people worldwide have
been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known
cause or cure; and
WHEREAS, A chronic disorder that increases at alarming rates, fibro
myalgia causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, and children
of all ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, Patients with fibromyalgia often have to learn to live with
widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disor
ders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, numbness and tingling
and impairment of memory and concentration; and
WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagno
sis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inade
quately educated on the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities
of life with fibromyalgia will allow the community at large to better
support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic pain
disorder; and
WHEREAS, A nonprofit charitable organization and the publisher of
FIBROMYALGIA AWARE, the first and only consumer magazine for fibromyal
gia, the National Fibromyalgia Association has joined together with
other groups around the country, including the International Institute
For Human Empowerment based in New York State, to promote fibromyalgia
awareness and support, including improved education, diagnosis, research
and treatments; and
WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment is the
sponsor of various fibromyalgia awareness events, as well as, the Select
Empowerment Seminar report: "Fibromyalgia: Awareness, Advocacy, and
Action," encouraging the medical community patients, employers, govern
ment health and human rights agencies, educators, and caregivers, to
work together to support and improve the lives fibromyalgia patients;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, the National Fibromyalgia Association is urging
fibromyalgia patients and their supporters, healthcare providers and the
general public to demonstrate their caring by sharing the road patients
walk, the facts about fibromyalgia, and evergrowing awareness about the
etiology of this disorder and potential treatments; and
WHEREAS, The community's focus on fibromyalgia and its impact on
patients' lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people
with fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chron
ically ill people who suffer from fibromyalgia and urge all of our citi
zens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and
families who deal with this devastating disorder on a daily basis; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 10-16, 2010, as
Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and to the National Fibromyalgia Association.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim May 11-17, 2009, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, six to
eight percent of the population, and millions of people worldwide have
been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known
cause or cure; and
WHEREAS, A chronic disorder that increases at alarming rates, fibro
myalgia causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, and children
of all ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, Patients with fibromyalgia often have to learn to live with
widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disor
ders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, numbness and tingling
and impairment of memory and concentration; and
WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagno
sis of fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inade
quately educated on the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities
of life with fibromyalgia will allow the community at large to better
support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic pain
disorder; and
WHEREAS, A nonprofit charitable organization and the publisher of
Fibromyalgia AWARE, the first and only consumer magazine for fibromyal
gia, the National Fibromyalgia Association has joined together with
other groups around the country to promote fibromyalgia awareness and
support, including improved education, diagnosis, research and treat
ment; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the National Fibromyalgia Association is urging
fibromyalgia patients and their supporters, healthcare providers and the
general public to demonstrate their caring by sharing the road patients
walk, the facts about fibromyalgia, and evergrowing awareness about the
etiology of this disorder and potential treatments; and
WHEREAS, The community's focus on fibromyalgia and its impact on
patients' lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people
with fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chron
ically ill people who suffer from fibromyalgia and urge all of our citi
zens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and
families who deal with this devastating disorder on a daily basis; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 11-17, 2009, as
Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, and the National Fibromyalgia Association.