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| US Senator Max Baucus (MT) |
The US Senate has passed a resolution designating April 1- 7, 2012 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. Introduced by US Senator Max Baucus (MT), the mesure received US Senate approval the same day.
Co-Sponsors were:
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] - 3/6/2012
Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] - 3/6/2012
Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] - 3/6/2012
Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] - 3/6/2012
Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 3/6/2012
Sen Reid, Harry [NV] - 3/6/2012
Sen Tester, Jon [MT] - 3/6/2012
A resolution (S. Res. 389) designating the first week of April 2012 as ``National Asbestos Awareness Week.''
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 389) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 389
Whereas dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted;
Whereas the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause significant damage;
Whereas asbestos fibers can cause cancer such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health problems;
Whereas asbestos-related diseases can take 10 to 50 years to present themselves;
Whereas the expected survival time for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months;
Whereas, generally, little is known about late-stage treatment of asbestos-related diseases, and there is no cure for such diseases;
Whereas early detection of asbestos-related diseases may give some patients increased treatment options and might improve their prognoses;
Whereas the United States has substantially reduced its consumption of asbestos, yet continues to consume almost 1,100 metric tons of the fibrous mineral for use in certain products throughout the United States;
Whereas asbestos-related diseases have killed thousands of people in the United States;
Whereas exposure to asbestos continues, but safety and prevention of asbestos exposure already has significantly reduced the incidence of asbestos-related diseases and can further reduce the incidence of such diseases;
Whereas asbestos has been a cause of occupational cancer;
Whereas thousands of workers in the United States face significant asbestos exposure;
Whereas thousands of people in the United States die from asbestos-related diseases every year;
Whereas a significant percentage of all asbestos-related disease victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards;
Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of office buildings and public facilities built before 1975;
Whereas people in the small community of Libby, Montana suffer from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, at a significantly higher rate than people in the United States as a whole; and
Whereas the establishment of a ``National Asbestos Awareness Week'' will raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the first week of April 2012 as ``National Asbestos Awareness Week'';
(2) urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about the public health issue of asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Office of the Surgeon General.
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