SENATE RESOLUTION

                         2000-8719

By Senators Costa, Spanel and Rasmussen

     WHEREAS, In 1916, the first case of Polio was recorded, resulting in approximately 27,000 deaths; and

     WHEREAS, Between the years of 1946 through 1952, the Polio epidemic afflicted 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 Post Polio Syndrome; and

     WHEREAS, Many individuals are diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome year after year; and

     WHEREAS, The debilitating effects of Post Polio 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, Post Polio Syndrome is the second most leading cause of neurological damage; and

     WHEREAS, The medical field and the Polio survivors must be able to recognize the symptoms of Post Polio Syndrome so that the survivors  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 Washington State Senate recognize the courage and strength of all Polio survivors and the efforts of Polio Outreach of Washington to inform them.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2000-8719,

adopted by the Senate March 6, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate