Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 1.djvu/39

 PUBLIC LAW 101-242—FEB. 12, 1990 104 STAT. 5 Public Law 101-242 101st Congress Joint Resolution ..- i To designate the period commencing February 4, 1990, and ending February 10, 1990, T? K 12 1990 and the period commencing February 3, 1991, and ending February 9, 1991, as ' 'National Burn Awareness Week". t^-*^- ^^ - ^^'^^ Whereas the burn problem in the United States is one of the worst of any industrialized nation in the world; Whereas burn injuries are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States today; Whereas every year over 2,000,000 people are victims of some form of burn injury in the United States alone, and children account for between one-third and one-half of this total; Whereas of these injuries, over 70,000 are hospitalized and account for 9,000,000 disability days and $100,000,000 in costs annually; Whereas over 6,000 people die from burn injuries annually, and the rehabilitative and psychological impact of burns is devastating; Whereas young children are in the highest risk group suffering from hot liquid burns and injuries caused by child fire play and fire setting; Whereas older adults and the disabled are also at great risk and extremely susceptible to burn injuries; Whereas burn survivors often face years of costly reconstructive surgery and extensive physical and psychological rehabilitation in overcoming disabilities and fears of rejection by family members, friends, coworkers, schoolmates, and the public in general; Whereas it is estimated that approximately 75 percent of all burn injuries and deaths could be prevented by a comprehensive national educational and awareness campaign and by changes in the design and technology of homes and consumer products; Wheresis a general public awareness of the need for smoke detectors and home fire escape plans, in combination with an understanding of the risk associated with items in the home environment, can cause a reduction of injuries and loss of life; and Whereas there is a need for an effective national program that deals with all aspects of burn injuries and on the prevention thereof: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the period commencing February 4, 1990, and ending February 10, 1990, and the period

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