Declare Tuberculosis Awareness Day

March 24, 2017, as Tuberculosis Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which 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 March 24, 2017, as Tuberculosis Awareness Day in the State of New York in conjunction with the observance of World TB Day; and WHEREAS, Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24th; this annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB); and WHEREAS, During this time, TB killed one out of every seven people living in the United States and Europe; Dr. Koch's discovery was the most important step taken toward the control and elimination of this deadly disease; and WHEREAS, In 1982, a century after Dr. Koch's announcement, the first World TB Day was sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD); the event was intended to educate the public about the devastating health and economic consequences of TB, its effect on developing countries, and its continued tragic impact on global health; and WHEREAS, Today, World TB Day is commemorated across the globe with activities as diverse as the locations in which they are held; and WHEREAS, Among infectious diseases, TB is now the leading killer of adults in the world, with 1.5 million TB-related deaths in 2014; and WHEREAS, Until TB is eliminated, World TB Day will not be a celebration, but a valuable opportunity to educate the public on the devastation TB can spread and how it can be stopped; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this infectious disease, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, state and national levels to educate and support those afflicted as well as their families and caregivers; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 24, 2017, as Tuberculosis Awareness Day 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.