National Asbestos Awareness Day Award Winner Announced
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) is announced as recipient of the winner of the "National Asbestos Awareness Day Award" by the Johnson Law Firm, mesothelioma lawyers.
(PRWEB) March 31, 2005 -- The Johnson Law Firm announced today the winner of
its inaugural "National Asbestos Awareness Day Award" for outstanding
contribution to public education and awareness of mesothelioma lung
cancer.
The Hon. Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader, was announced
as the winner of this year's award for his contribution to establishing April 1
as "National Asbestos Awareness Day."
In announcing the award, Steven
Johnson, founder of the Johnson Law Firm (www.nationwidejustice.com/mesothelioma_asbestos), said, "As
mesothelioma lawyers we see daily the horrible impact asbestos has on people. We
are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure
because greater awareness and education can reduce both exposure and the
resulting cases of mesothelioma. The Johnson Law Firm's mesothelioma attorneys
congratulate Sen. Reid for his contributions to public education about
mesothelioma."
The National Asbestos Awareness Day Award will honor an
individual who contributes to public education of asbestos related cancers,
including mesothelioma.
Sen. Reid submitted the following resolution (S.
Res. 43) to the Senate Judiciary Committee:
"Whereas deadly asbestos fibers
are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted;
"Whereas when airborne fibers
are inhaled or swallowed, the damage is permanent and irreversible;
"Whereas
these fibers can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural
diseases;
"Whereas asbestos-related diseases can take 10 to 50 years to
present themselves;
"Whereas the expected survival rate of those diagnosed
with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months;
"Whereas little is known about
late stage treatment and there is no cure for asbestos-related
diseases;
"Whereas early detection of asbestos-related diseases would give
patients increased treatment options and often improve their
prognosis;
"Whereas asbestos is a toxic and dangerous substance and must be
disposed of properly;
"Whereas nearly half of the more than 1,000 screened
firefighters, police officers, rescue workers, and volunteers who responded to
the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, have new and persistent
respiratory problems;
"Whereas the industry groups with the highest incidence
rates of asbestos-related diseases, based on 2000 to 2002 figures, were shipyard
workers, vehicle body builders (including rail vehicles), pipefitters,
carpenters and electricians, construction (including insulation work and
stripping), extraction, energy and water supply, and manufacturing;
"Whereas
the United States imports more than 30,000,000 pounds of asbestos used in
products throughout the Nation;
"Whereas asbestos-related diseases kill
10,000 people in the United States each year, and the numbers are
increasing;
"Whereas asbestos exposure is responsible for 1 in every 125
deaths of men over the age of 50;
"Whereas safety and prevention will reduce
asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases;
"Whereas asbestos has been
the largest single cause of occupational cancer;
"Whereas asbestos is still a
hazard for 1,300,000 workers in the United States;
"Whereas asbestos-related
deaths have greatly increased in the last 20 years and are expected to continue
to increase;
"Whereas 30 percent of all asbestos-related disease victims were
exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards;
"Whereas asbestos was
used in the construction of virtually all office buildings, public schools, and
homes built before 1975; and
"Whereas the establishment of a "National
Asbestos Awareness Day" would raise public awareness about the prevalence of
asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure: Now, therefore,
be it
"Resolved, That the Senate designates the first day of April 2005 as
'National Asbestos Awareness Day'."
The Johnson Law Firm represents
mesothelioma victims and their families nationwide. Mesothelioma is a form of
lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos for which there is no cure. Over
2,000 people die from mesothelioma each year in the United States. More
information about mesothelioma and the National Asbestos Awareness Day Award is
available at http://www.nationwidejustice.com/mesothelioma_asbestos or toll
free at 1-866-374-0338.
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb223894.htm