1.1A Senate resolution
1.2recognizing May 2011 as American Stroke Month.
1.3WHEREAS, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and the third leading
1.4cause of death in the United States, killing over 136,000 people nationwide and over 2,000
1.5citizens of Minnesota each year; and
1.6WHEREAS, warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face,
1.7arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble
1.8understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss
1.9of balance, or loss of coordination; and sudden severe headache with no known cause; and
1.10WHEREAS, Americans are more aware of the risk factors and warning signs for stroke
1.11than in the past, but two in five adults still cannot identify any symptoms; and
1.12WHEREAS, the actions for American Stroke Month 2011 are to Take 2 to Save 2 to
1.13encourage people to take two minutes to save two lives by sending two health messages to two
1.14people that they know who may smoke, be overweight, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a
1.15family history of heart disease or stroke who are at increased risk of being disabled or dying from
1.16a stroke, and promote the program "Power to End Stroke," to reduce stroke in African-Americans,
1.17who are at particularly high risk of the disease, by empowering them to reduce their risk,
1.18recognize the warning signs, and respond quickly; and
1.19WHEREAS, new and effective treatments have been developed to treat and minimize the
1.20severity and damaging effects of strokes, but much more research is needed; and
1.21NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.22recognizes May 2011 as American Stroke Month in Minnesota and urges all the citizens of our
1.23state to familiarize themselves with the risk factors associated with stroke, recognize the warning
2.1signs and symptoms, and dial 9-1-1 immediately at the first sign of a stroke so that we might begin
2.2to reduce the devastating effects of stroke on our population.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Amy T. KochChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Sean R. NienowState Senator, District 17