National Asbestos Awareness Day Award Winner Announced

(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.

View the original article here