Senate Resolution No. 81 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023, as Asthma Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months and days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious conditions that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023, as Asthma Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Asthma Day on Tuesday, May 2, 2023; and WHEREAS, Asthma affects nearly 15 million Americans; more than five percent of the United States population with the overwhelming burden of this disease being felt predominantly by children, the poor and minority communities across the nation; and WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over a million New Yorkers suffering from asthma, a rate higher than those of states like California, Florida and Texas which have larger populations; and WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency released information classifying New York as the state with the dirtiest air in the nation; yet school districts and municipal transportation systems continue to use diesel-fuel burning vehicles that exacerbate the situation by increasing pollution levels; and WHEREAS, With over 50,000 school buses transporting over 2 million school-age children daily throughout the State, it is easy to see how such decisions in aggregate are part of the negligence and neglect that negatively impacts all our lives; and WHEREAS, Given that children often ride the school bus every day for many years, this type of exposure accumulates, translating into an unacceptably high risk of developing cancer and respiratory diseases later in life; and WHEREAS, Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness and is the second most significant respiratory condition as a cause of home confinement for adults; each year, asthma causes more than 18 million days of restricted activity, and millions of visits to physicians' offices and emergency rooms; and WHEREAS, The documented increases in air pollution in New York City combined with the proximity of school buildings to diesel-fuel burning bus depots, major highways, waste transfer stations and industrial parks are increasing the levels of asthma to epidemic proportions; and WHEREAS, It is understood that we cannot immediately remove all the causes of air pollution from around our schools and communities, but we can still reduce the impact of this disease on children by lowering their exposure to illness causes and disease aggravating pollutants such as diesel-fuel burning buses and their toxic emissions; and WHEREAS, The asthma epidemic facing our communities in New York State is a health care issue that can no longer be ignored; it is imperative that we focus on this matter, especially with its disproportionate impact on minorities, children, and the impoverished; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023, as Asthma Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.