Declare School Vision Month

Senate Resolution No. 2722 BY: Senator MARCELLINO MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as School Vision Health 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 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as School Vision Health Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, New York State recognizes that vision plays a critical role in children's physical, cognitive, and social development; and WHEREAS, Research shows that 1 in 4 school-age children have a vision disorder; and WHEREAS, The New York State Education Department recognizes that visual functioning impacts academic achievement; and WHEREAS, To do their best in school, every child needs a quality, comprehensive eye exam from an eye care professional; and WHEREAS, Physicians, optometrists, opticians and other health professionals licensed by the New York State Education Department play a vital role in ensuring overall eye health and appropriate vision correction; and WHEREAS, Access to vision care is a concern for too many children, leaving them with unmet needs for care; and WHEREAS, More than 10 percent of children have not had new or replacement glasses due to unaffordable costs; and WHEREAS, The New York State Education Department is bringing together experts in vision care to schools across the State to help screen students, provide education and resources, and promote healthy eye care during the month of October; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this issue and more must be done to improve vision health for New York's students and those affected by such vision health issues; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 2017, as School Vision Health 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.