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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-133
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLULMBIA
November 3, 2015
To declare the fourth week of October as "National Respiratory Care Week" in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners in Washington, D.C. and nationwide will celebrate Respiratory Care Week;
WHEREAS, this observance celebrates the contribution that respiratory care practitioners make to our nation's health care system;
WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners work in various areas of health care organizations and educational institutions, including the emergency department, critical care units, acute care, pulmonary diagnostics, polysomnography, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, ECMO, transport, and colleges and universities;
WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners are health care professionals committed to providing high-quality patient care in all these settings;
WHEREAS, lung diseases, known as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (“COPD”), are the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and pediatric and adult asthma and other chronic obstructive diseases affect the residents of the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, the number of people affected by the chronic lung diseases is increasing and it costs millions annually in hospitalization, physician visits, and other medical expenses;
WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners evaluate and treat patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders;
WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners are actively engaged in educating the public in prevention and early detection of lung disease as asthma and COPD educators;
WHEREAS, both local and national observances of this week will focus on increasing public awareness and importance of early detection of chronic lung disease; and
WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners, polysomnographers, pulmonary function technologists, and respiratory therapy practitioners continue to work tirelessly to provide information and educate Districts residents about lung diseases and the importance of lung health.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “National Respiratory Care Week Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares the fourth week of October as “National Respiratory Care Week” in the District of Columbia and calls upon all the residents of this great city to join in observing this week.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
