SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 934

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join the Fight Oral Cancer Foundation in recognizing the month of May as Fight Oral Cancer Month in Texas; and

WHEREAS, The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation, founded by Plano resident Arma Fitzgerald, is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to increase awareness of the cancers of the mouth and the pharynx; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 35,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year that will result in approximately 8,000 deaths; about two-thirds of oral cancers occur in the mouth, and about one-third of oral cancers are found in the pharynx; oral cancer occurs most often in people over the age of 40 and affects twice as many men as women; and

WHEREAS, When found early, oral cancer has an 80 to 90 percent survival rate; however, the majority of these cancers are found as late stage cancers and this accounts for a high death rate of about 45 percent within five years of diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, Awareness of oral cancer is essential to prevention, early treatment, and survival; the citizens of Texas are encouraged to become better informed about oral cancer and to offer support and encouragement to those with the disease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby recognize the month of May 2009 as Fight Oral Cancer Month and promote the dissemination of information about oral cancer; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to commemorate the month of May 2009 as Fight Oral Cancer Month.

Shapiro

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 15, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate