HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4768, by Representatives Clements, Conway, B. Chandler, Wood, McIntire, Huff, Thomas, Van Luven, Ericksen, Delvin, Wensman, Radcliff, Lisk, Buck, Benson, Mulliken, Alexander, Pflug, Parlette, Crouse, Mielke, Dunn, Boldt, DeBolt, G. Chandler, Lambert, Schindler, Campbell, Cox, Carlson, Hankins, Skinner, Esser, Fortunato and Talcott

       WHEREAS, In 1916, the first case of polio was recorded, and the following epidemic resulted in approximately 27,000 deaths; and

       WHEREAS, Between 1946 and 1952, polio affected 144,000 victims nationally; and

       WHEREAS, There are an estimated 35,000 polio survivors in Washington state alone; and

       WHEREAS, There are currently 1.6 million polio survivors in the United States; and

       WHEREAS, The centralized Burien office for polio outreach of Washington was formed in 1995 by peer volunteers to locate and inform polio survivors who may currently be experiencing postpolio syndrome; and

       WHEREAS, Many individuals are diagnosed with this disease year after year; and

       WHEREAS, The debilitating effects of postpolio syndrome, from severe fatigue to total body exhaustion, are often not detected until up to thirty years after the original onset of polio; and

       WHEREAS, Postpolio syndrome is the second most common cause of neurological damage; and

       WHEREAS, The medical field and the polio survivors must be able to recognize the symptoms of postpolio syndrome so that they will not be prematurely disabled; and

       WHEREAS, The distribution of accurate information and educational material is a necessity in order to create awareness for this disease and its effects;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the courage and strength of all polio survivors and the efforts of polio outreach of Washington to reach them; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Burien office for polio outreach.

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

       Resolution 4768 adopted by the House of Representatives

                           March 6, 2000.

________________________________       _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk    Cynthia Zehnder, Co-Chief Clerk