Rep. LeBlanc offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 121.   

A resolution to declare September 2011 as Pain Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, One third of all Michiganders suffer from chronic pain yearly, many for the rest of their lives; and

Whereas, Although medical knowledge and technologies exist to relieve or reduce pain, greater awareness and research is needed in order to properly treat pain and people with pain, including those near the end of life who in most part get very little or no relief and our veterans who suffer now from unique and difficult to treat conditions; and

Whereas, People who suffer from chronic pain are too often stigmatized and marginalized, and often uninformed as to their right to effective pain assessment and management; and

Whereas, There are national organizations and coalitions such as the American Pain Association (ACPA) and Partners for Understanding Pain (PUP) working to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public at large regarding issues of people living with pain, especially chronic pain; and

Whereas, A statewide month dedicated to educating all Michiganders on the issues of those living with pain can result in a better informed public and better planning of therapies for those that suffer from chronic pain; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 2011 as Pain Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We respect the needs of those with pain and seek to make those needs known to the population of the great state of Michigan.