HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2001-4625, by Representatives Kagi, Ruderman, Schual‑Berke, Keiser, Edmonds, Cody, Fromhold, Lambert, Talcott and Woods

      WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer in Washington state and the second leading cause of cancer deaths; and

      WHEREAS, According to data from the state cancer registry, 2981 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 970 people died of colorectal cancer; and

      WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer affects both women and men of all races; and

      WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer can start with few or no symptoms; and

      WHEREAS, Approximately ninety-two percent of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people age fifty and older in Washington state; and

      WHEREAS, Research suggests that regular screening after age fifty can greatly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer mortality; and

      WHEREAS, Increasing awareness and use of early detection practices is essential to controlling colorectal cancer; and

      WHEREAS, In order to educate the public about what they can do to protect themselves against colorectal cancer and reduce the number of people who die each year from colorectal cancer, the Cancer Research Foundation of America in collaboration with the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable and the American Digestive Health Foundation, founded the first annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March 2001;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington express its gratitude to the founders of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and to their collaborating partners for focusing their energies and resources on colorectal cancer each year during the month of March and all year long and encourage efforts in Washington state to raise public awareness about this disease through education and the promotion of routine screening; 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 Cancer Research Foundation of America, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, the American Digestive Health Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Cancer Life Line.

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

      Resolution 4625 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          March 21, 2001.

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