Senate Resolution No. 1518 BY: Senator PERSAUD MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2024, as Diabetic Eye Disease Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2024, as Diabetic Eye Disease Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Diabetic Eye Disease Month; and WHEREAS, Diabetic Eye Disease Month focuses attention on keeping our eyes healthy; and WHEREAS, Each November, vision care organizations, physicians, ophthalmologists, and opticians share resources on how diabetes can decrease their sight; and WHEREAS, According to the National Eye Institute, over 7 million Americans are impacted by diabetic retinopathy, a condition involving chronic high blood sugar that damages the retina's blood vessels; and WHEREAS, On August 16, 1968, President Johnson signed a law establishing the National Eye Institute; this vital organization became the first government agency exclusively committed to research on human visual diseases and disorders, a cause championed by LBJ; and WHEREAS, In March of 1993, a five-year follow-up diabetic retinopathy results were released, confirming the 95% success rate for the current treatment plans used in maintaining vision; and WHEREAS, In 2000, the National Eye Institute was named the primary agency for a new vision education project as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services People 2010 initiative; and WHEREAS, Two years later, an Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial showed that treating early-stage glaucoma patients can slow the disease; and WHEREAS, In December of 2003, a major retinopathy study found early treatment improved vision for preemies; this was a groundbreaking report revealing that high-risk premature infants gained better vision potential with early treatment; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 2024, as Diabetic Eye Disease 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.