WHEREAS, Traumatic Brain Injuries have impacted 5.3 million American citizens who now live with resulting disabilities; and
     WHEREAS, Every 21 seconds one person in the United States sustains a Traumatic Brain Injury, equaling roughly 4,000 people daily and 1.5 million people annually; and
     WHEREAS, Out of the 1.5 million people annually who sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries, 50,000 of them will die, while an additional 80,000 will experience the onset of life-long disabilities as a result of their brain injury; and
     WHEREAS, Traumatic Brain Injuries occur more frequently than Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, HIV/AIDS, and breast cancer combined; and
     WHEREAS, In Washington State, Traumatic Brain Injury patients constitute 10 percent of the state's population of persons with disabilities; and
     WHEREAS, There is no cure for Traumatic Brain Injuries, only prevention; and
     WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of America has created a partnership with the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration in the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Defense Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program for veterans and military personnel, and the Brain Injury Association of Washington, that strives to provide a better future for TBI patients through prevention, research, education, and advocacy; and
     WHEREAS, The Traumatic Brain Injury advocacy groups mentioned above have recognized and declared the month of March 2005 National Brain Injury Awareness Month;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and honor the work of these organizations in their efforts to combat Traumatic Brain Injuries; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and honor the work of these organizations for organizing and observing the month of March as National Brain Injury Awareness Month.