2011 SPECIAL SESSION I
INTRODUCED
REPRINT
11200102D
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5022
2 Offered April 11, 2011
3 Commending "Get The FA-CTS."
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Patron––Peace
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6 Unanimous consent to introduce
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8 WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness characterized by long-term and widespread debilitating
9 musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms; and
10 WHEREAS, the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown and there is no known cure and diagnosis of the
11 illness is increasing at alarming rates; and although women are more likely to develop Fibromyalgia
12 than men, this chronic illness affects women, men, and children of diverse racial and ethnic populations;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, "Get The FA-CTS," a nonprofit charitable organization that promotes Fibromyalgia
15 awareness and support for improved education, diagnosis, and treatment of this chronic illness, actively
16 encourages Fibromyalgia patients and their supporters, health care providers, and the public to share the
17 facts about Fibromyalgia and to promote awareness of the need for more research to identify the
18 etiology and potential treatment of the disorder; and
19 WHEREAS, "Get The FA-CTS" has worked diligently and tirelessly to increase public awareness
20 and understanding of the many challenges of Fibromyalgia patients as they struggle to live and perform
21 their daily responsibilities in the face of persistent chronic pain; and
22 WHEREAS, "Get The FA-CTS" also helps Fibromyalgia patients and their supporters deal with the
23 impact of the illness on their lives and "Get The FA-CTS" provides Fibromyalgia patients hope for a
24 better future; and
25 WHEREAS, National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day will be recognized on May 12, 2011, and,
26 locally, New Kent County will also recognize National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on this date; and
27 WHEREAS, it is important to promote greater public awareness of Fibromyalgia and of the needs of
28 the many Virginians and others who suffer from this chronic and debilitating illness; now, therefore, be
29 it
30 RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby
31 commend "Get The FA-CTS" for its exemplary spirit of public service; and, be it
32 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution
33 for presentation to Jennifer Phillips, Executive Director of "Get The FA-CTS," and Amy Jo Martin,
34 Assistant Executive Director of "Get The FA-CTS," as an expression of the General Assembly's
35 gratitude for the organization's commitment to promoting public awareness of and serving persons with
36 Fibromyalgia in the Commonwealth.
INTRODUCED HJ5022
4/18/11 2:32

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 556 Commending Jennifer Phillips.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2008 Agreed to by the Senate, March 6, 2008

WHEREAS, Jennifer Phillips of Providence Forge, who represented Virginia in the 2007 Mrs. United States pageant, is a vocal advocate for fibromyalgia awareness; and

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by a variety of symptoms, the most common of which are chronic, widespread pain; extreme sensitivity to touch; muscle spasms; fatigue; and insomnia; and

WHEREAS, Jennifer Phillips suffered for years before finding a doctor who worked extensively with her to establish a diagnosis and then a treatment regimen, and she is determined to help others who have the disorder; and

WHEREAS, as a participant in the Mrs. United States pageant, Jennifer Phillips made fibromyalgia awareness her platform, thus continuing her efforts to raise public awareness of the disorder and spread the word about available treatment options; and

WHEREAS, the active mother of two boys, Jennifer Phillips mentors people who suffer from fibromyalgia in her community, encouraging them by her example to seek proper treatment and continue to pursue their dreams; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Jennifer Phillips on her participation in the Mrs. United States pageant and her efforts to spread awareness of fibromyalgia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jennifer Phillips as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for her commitment to helping those who struggle with fibromyalgia.