WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries can seriously affect every aspect of a patient's life, including personality and mental abilities; and
     WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injuries now affect over 5.3 million American citizens, who now live with resulting disabilities; and
     WHEREAS, Out of the 1.7 million people annually who sustain traumatic brain injuries, 52,000 of them will die, while 275,000 will be hospitalized as a result of their brain injury; and
     WHEREAS, In Washington state, 1,300 residents die of traumatic brain injuries every year; and
     WHEREAS, The costs of traumatic brain injuries in the United States are estimated to be 48.3 billion dollars annually; and
     WHEREAS, There is no cure for traumatic brain injuries, only prevention; and
     WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injury patients are tirelessly cared for and supported by their family members and advocacy groups; and
     WHEREAS, The Brain Injury Association of America has created a partnership with the Centers 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, the Washington Protection and Advocacy System, and the Brain Injury Association of Washington that strives to provide a better future for traumatic brain injury patients through prevention, research, education, and advocacy; and
     WHEREAS, The traumatic brain injury advocacy groups already mentioned have recognized and declared the month of March 2011, 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 honor these advocacy groups, the family members of patients, and the victims of traumatic brain injuries during the month of March 2011, National Brain Injury Awareness Month.