Resolutions were presented in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on Friday, Sept. 25, to recognize September 26, 2009 as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The Senate resolution was sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray and the House resolution was sponsored by Rep. Betty McCollum. Both legislators have been longstanding supporters of efforts to increase awareness of and funding for mesothelioma research, as well as to ban asbestos in the United States.

A news release from Sen. Murray’s office quotes her as saying, “The dangers of asbestos went unrecognized for far too long, wtih tragic results for so many workers and families across the country who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. National Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of efforts to treat this deadly disease and support the victims and their families. I am committed to continuing my work fighing to ban asbestos in the United States and educating the American public about the deadly consequences of asbestos exposure.”

The release also quotes Rep. McCollum. She says, “Too many Americans don’t know that asbestos exposure remains a problem. Enacting National Mesothelioma Awareness Day (H.R. 771) is an important step towards educating the nation about the causes of this deadly disease. I will continue to work with Senator Murray and my colleagues in the U.S. House to finally ban asbestos and provide real help for those suffereing from mesothelioma and their families.”

Here is the full text of the resolution:

Whereas there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos;

Whereas millions of workers in the United States have been, and continue to be, exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;

Whereas the National Institutes of Health reported to Congress in 2006 that mesothelioma is a difficult disease to detect, diagnose, and treat;

Whereas the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear need for new treatments to improve the outlook for patients with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;

Whereas the need to develop treatments for mesothelioma was overlooked for decades;

Whereas even the best available treatments for mesothelioma typically have only a very limited effect, and a person diagnosed with mesothelioma is expected to survive between8 and 14 months;

Whereas mesothelioma has claimed the lives of such heroes and public servants as Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and Congressman Bruce F. Vento;

Whereas many mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy;

Whereas it is believed that many of the firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers who served at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, may be at increased risk of contracting mesothelioma in the future; and–

Whereas cities and localities throughout the United States will recognize September 26, 2009, as ‘‘Mesothelioma Awareness Day’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates September 26, 2009, as ‘‘National Mesothelioma Awareness Day’’; and calls on the people of the United States, Federal departments and agencies, States, localities, organizations, and media to observe National Mesothelioma Awareness day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

For more information, visit Senator Murray online.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is sounding a call for supporters to let Congress know we are in favor of a NATIONAL Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This is an immediate need, with a deadline of NOON tomorrow, September 24, Eastern Time. Here is their announcement with instructions about how YOU can help!

We need your support today for the Federal Government to issue a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day Proclamation! Representative Betty McCollum in the House of Representatives is about to introduce a National Proclamation of Mesothelioma Awareness Day. She needs as many co-sponsors in the House of Representatives as possible by 12 noon tomorrow (September 24th, Eastern Time).

To ask your Representative to support Representative McCollum in raising awareness for mesothelioma in our country, please visit our Action Center (www.curemeso.org/action) and send an email now! Together we can raise public awareness of this tragic disease and of the need to develop treatments and a cure!

We have been encouraging everyone to support the Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act of 2007, which was introduced in the House of Representatives last August, and which has been in the House Subcommittee on Health since that time. This is H.R. 3339. However, last week, on Sept. 15, a new bill was introduced, H.R. 6903, which has taken the place of the earlier bill.

H.R. 6903, which was sponsored by Rep. Raymond Green (D-TX), is being called the Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act of 2008. Its purpose is stated as “to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks posed by asbestos-containing products, and for other purposes.” It is co-sponsored by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MIN), who sponsored the 2007 version of the bill.

The new legislation has the support of organizations including the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. It has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, of which Rep. Green is a member.

You can read the full text of the bill online.

It is vital that this legislation not be allowed to linger in committee for another year, as more people continue to be exposed to asbestos and die from mesothelioma. Please contact your Representative TODAY and ask them to support the Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos legislation.