Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 1.djvu/226

 98 STAT. 178

PUBLIC LAW 98-281—MAY 11, 1984 Public Law 98-281 98th Congress

i Joint Resolution

May 11, 1984 [S.J. Res. 244]

Designating the week beginning on May 6, 1984, as "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week".

Whereas asthma and allergic diseases result in physical, emotional, and economic hardship for more than thirty-five milHon Americans and their families; Whereas thousands of Americans, many of them young, die each year from asthma even though sufficient medical knowledge and resources exist to prevent many asthma-related deaths; Whereas student absenteeism is due in significant part to asthma and allergic diseases; Whereas environmental conditions in the workplace often cause or exacerbate asthma and allergic diseases among employees; Whereas many hospital patients suffer allergic reactions to prescribed medications; Whereas it is estimated that the American public pays $2,000,000,000 per year in medical bills directly attributable to the treatment and diagnosis of asthma and allergic diseases and pays another $2,000,000,000 per year as a result of the indirect social cost of such illnesses; Whereas, because of recent developments in the study of immunology, health care providers are better equipped to diagnose and treat asthma and allergic diseases; and Whereas increased public awareness of recent scientific advancements in the study of immunology will help dispel many of the common misconceptions concerning asthma, allergic disesises, and the victims of those illnesses: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the week beginning on May 6, 1984, is hereby designated as "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved May 11, 1984.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 244: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): Apr. 25, considered and passed Senate. May 3, considered and passed House.

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