SENATE RESOLUTION

                             8760

By Senators Thibaudeau and Carlson

     WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects roughly a quarter of a million children in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause and includes more than one hundred other diseases including diseases that affect the spine, connective tissue, and noninflammatory disorders such as fibromyalgia; and

     WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis can occur in any child, even infants, and refers to arthritis or a related condition occurring by age fifteen; and

     WHEREAS, Juvenile arthritis often strikes children in the prime of their youth making even the simplest of tasks difficult and frustrating; and

     WHEREAS, Many children with juvenile arthritis miss up to fifty days of school a year because of the severity of pain and discomfort; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to the physical pain and limitations that juvenile arthritis imposes on its young victims, this disease can also inflict emotional and financial hardship on entire families; and

     WHEREAS, Treatment can relieve or prevent discomfort for some children while others live in constant pain; and

     WHEREAS, Most arthritis will affect the child through adulthood and there is no known cure for the disease at this time; and

     WHEREAS, Children with juvenile arthritis need support and understanding as they cope with this disease; and

     WHEREAS, Public awareness of juvenile arthritis and the importance of related scientific research is critical;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington recognize those affected by juvenile arthritis during  Juvenile Arthritis Week, March 4-10, in order  to educate the residents of Washington State about this disease; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington also recognize  and honor those health care professionals who provide the greatly needed specialized juvenile arthritis care because early diagnosis and treatment are keys to slowing or preventing further joint and tissue damage.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8760,

adopted by the Senate February 25, 2002.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate