K 225: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 16-22, 2025, as Poison Prevention Week in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 225 BY: M. of A. Eachus MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 16-22, 2025, as Poison Prevention Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 16-22, 2025, as Poison Prevention Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Poison Prevention Week; and WHEREAS, Poison Prevention Week was established by the United States Congress in 1961, with the aim of creating awareness and lowering the number of unintentional poisonings; the first National Poison Prevention Week was observed in March of 1962, under the presidency of John F. Kennedy; today, it takes place the third full week of March each year; and WHEREAS, The primary goals of this week are to highlight the dangers of poisoning for people of all ages, promote community involvement in poisoning prevention and to raise awareness of prevention tactics; and WHEREAS, Over two million potential poisonings are reported in the United States every year, with over 90% of the cases occurring in the home, and the majority of the individuals affected being young children; every day over 300 children require treatment in emergency departments of hospitals, with an average of two deaths per day being recorded; most of these incidents are due to the accessing of highly toxic household items such as cleaning products and medicine; and WHEREAS, In 1962, the National Poison Prevention Week Council was established to oversee National Poison Prevention Week; their work focuses on partnering with other agencies such as the National Safety Council and the American Cleaning Institute to try and be more effective in their awareness campaigns; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize established weeks of awareness in effort to raise social consciousness about issues affecting the citizens of New York State, and in determination to increase the prevention of the negative circumstances which affect the health and wellness of the populous; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 16-22, 2025, as Poison Prevention Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.