H.R. No. 582



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, March 25, 2003, is National Diabetes Alert Day, and 
representatives of the American Diabetes Association are visiting 
the State Capitol to call attention to issues and initiatives 
concerning this disease; and
	WHEREAS, The fifth deadliest disease in the United States, 
diabetes affects approximately 17 million people and costs 
Americans more than $100 billion each year; the disease is most 
common among senior citizens, as well as persons of Latino, African 
American, Native American, and Asian American ancestry, and 2,700 
new cases are diagnosed each day; and
	WHEREAS, Every 24 hours, 1,200 people in this country die 
from diabetes or diabetes-related illnesses, while an additional 75 
people lose their eyesight;  each day, 180 amputations are 
performed as a result of diabetic illnesses and 120 people begin 
treatment for end-stage kidney disease resulting from diabetes; and
	WHEREAS, Those suffering from diabetes either produce 
inferior insulin or lack the ability to produce insulin at all; 
common symptoms include fatigue, increased hunger, and extreme 
thirst as well as more severe symptoms such as blurred vision, 
persistent infections, and unexplained weight loss; and
	WHEREAS, Diabetes continues to become more prevalent in the 
lives of Americans, and it is important to recognize the warning 
signs of this deadly disease and to implement life changes that will 
decrease the risk of developing diabetes; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby join in the observance of National Diabetes 
Alert Day and recognize March 25, 2003, as Diabetes Day at the State 
Capitol.

                                                                          Capelo

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 582 was adopted by the House on March 
25, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House