HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 98-4719, by Representatives Backlund, Cody and Dunn

      WHEREAS, Chronic Hepatitis C has been classified as the silent killer, where no recognizable signs or symptoms occur until severe liver damage has occurred; and

      WHEREAS, Chronic Hepatitis C has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a disease of primary concern to humanity; and

      WHEREAS, Chronic Hepatitis C currently infects approximately four million five hundred thousand Americans and there are thirty thousand new infections each year in the United States; and

      WHEREAS, This disease is considered such a public health threat that the National Institute of Health convened an international conference of health experts in March of 1997, to issue guidelines for diagnosis, control, and treatment of Hepatitis C; and

      WHEREAS, The United States Department of Health and Human Services has launched a comprehensive plan to address this significant public health problem, beginning with the identification and notification of the hundreds of thousands of persons inadvertently exposed to Hepatitis C through blood transfusions; and

      WHEREAS, In the absence of a vaccine, emphasis must be placed on other means of disease prevention including the education of health care workers and the general public; and

      WHEREAS, The American Liver Foundation is a national voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing hepatitis and other liver and gall bladder diseases through research and education; and

      WHEREAS, The American Liver Foundation has designated October as Hepatitis C Education Awareness Month in an effort to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of the liver and the effects of Hepatitis C;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington recognize that October is Hepatitis C Education Awareness Month; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hereby honor and encourage the efforts of the American Liver Foundation and its volunteers in this state and nation-wide in their efforts to provide vital services and outreach with regards to the prevention, treatment, and cure of Hepatitis C.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4719 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          March 12, 1998.

                 ________________________________

                  Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk