Florida Senate - 2016                             (NP)    SR 354
       
       
        
       By Senator Hukill
       
       
       
       
       
       8-00151-16                                             2016354__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing May 2016 as “American Stroke
    3         Month” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the
    6  United States, striking more than 795,000 Americans each year
    7  and killing almost 130,000, including a total of 25,310
    8  Floridians from 2011 through 2013, and
    9         WHEREAS, stroke is also a leading cause of serious long
   10  term disability in the United States, with more than 1.1 million
   11  adults experiencing functional limitations or difficulty with
   12  activities of daily living resulting from stroke, and
   13         WHEREAS, on the average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds
   14  and takes a life every 4 minutes in the United States, and
   15         WHEREAS, many Americans are unaware of their risk factors
   16  for a stroke and of the signs and symptoms of an impending
   17  stroke, and
   18         WHEREAS, statistics show that African Americans have almost
   19  twice the risk of a first stroke compared to Caucasians, in part
   20  because of their increased risk of high blood pressure and
   21  diabetes, and
   22         WHEREAS, the American Stroke Association’s “Together to End
   23  Stroke” initiative, which begins on May 1 with the American
   24  Stroke “Day of Action” and continues year-round, encourages
   25  Americans to learn their personal stroke risk, memorize and
   26  share the stroke warning signs, and call 911 at the first sign
   27  of a stroke, and
   28         WHEREAS, one in three Americans cannot recall any stroke
   29  warning signs or symptoms, and
   30         WHEREAS, the American Stroke Association’s “Together to End
   31  Stroke” initiative helps people learn how to recognize and
   32  respond to stroke warning signs using the acronym “FAST,” in
   33  which “F” stands for face drooping, “A” stands for arm weakness,
   34  “S” stands for speech difficulty, and “T” stands for time to
   35  call 911 if any signs are present, and
   36         WHEREAS, new and effective treatments have been developed
   37  to treat and minimize the severity and damaging effects of
   38  strokes, but much more research is needed, NOW, THEREFORE,
   39  
   40  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   41  
   42         That May 2016 is recognized as “American Stroke Month” in
   43  Florida and that all residents of this state are urged to
   44  familiarize themselves with the risk factors, warning signs, and
   45  symptoms associated with stroke and, at the first sign of a
   46  stroke, to dial 911, so that we may begin to reduce the
   47  devastating effects of stroke on our population and Floridians
   48  may live stronger, healthier lives.