HJR47INTRODUCED
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HJR47
B2DN4JJ-1
By Representatives Lee, Paramore, Brinyark, Shirey,
Holk-Jones, Gray, Rafferty, Warren, Sorrells, DuBose, Rigsby
RFD: Rules
First Read: 11-Feb-25
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6 B2DN4JJ-1 02/06/2025 evp (L)evp 2025-634
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First Read: 11-Feb-25
HJR___ COMMENDING THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ON
THE OCCASION OF ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE TO THE
STATE OF ALABAMA.
WHEREAS, we are pleased and proud to recognize the
150th Anniversary of the Alabama Department of Public Health
(ADPH) and join in commemorating the observance to be
launched this month and celebrated throughout this
sesquicentennial year; and
WHEREAS, before the department was created, rampant
epidemics led to losses of life from deadly diseases that
are now preventable; and at a time when maternal mortality
was high and only one in three infants lived to reach one
year of age, members of the Alabama General Assembly
realized the need to establish public health activities and
promote sanitary science for the good of the citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama General Assembly passed a law on
February 19, 1875, to establish a system of hygiene for the
state that would "preserve and prolong human life"; they
created a program of education to "elucidate all persons on
the laws that govern a healthful existence" and a method of
enforcing the health laws "for the welfare of their fellow
creatures"; the state medical leaders foresaw a vision of
health, "wonderful in proportion, exempt from bodily
suffering"; and
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suffering"; and
WHEREAS, led by the State Health Officer from its
inception, the department has endeavored to improve the
health of the state's citizens; it has investigated and
helped contain outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as
tuberculosis; diseases associated with poor hygiene and poor
sanitation, such as typhoid; and diseases associated with
poor nutrition, like pellagra and goiter; and
WHEREAS, Alabama was the first state in the nation to
open a county health department facility in every county in
the state and, under the direction and guidance of twelve
State Health Officers, has remained committed to a rich
history of serving the public by striving to keep Alabamians
healthy, safe, and informed; and
WHEREAS, ADPH touches the lives of every person
living in Alabama while promoting and embodying the core
values of excellence, integrity, innovation, and community,
as well as providing high-quality services to clients, and
serving them with compassion, empathy, fairness, and
respect; and
WHEREAS, since its founding, ADPH has made many
notable contributions and has played a vital role in
safeguarding Alabama's health by taking evidence-based
approaches to improve health outcomes, prevent injuries and
deaths through early intervention, and promote healthy
lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, the vision of healthy people, healthy
communities, and a healthy Alabama has endured well into the
21st Century; now therefore,
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21st Century; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we proudly congratulate and
commend the Alabama Department of Public Health on its
achievements upon the celebration of its Sesquicentennial
Anniversary, and we offer this resolution for appropriate
display in accord with the ADPH mission of promoting,
protecting, and improving Alabama's health.
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