Reps. Gaffney, Kooiman, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Ball, Baxter, Bennett, Booher, Brown, Byrnes, Byrum, Caul, Clack, Clemente, Condino, Cushingberry, Farrah, Gleason, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hopgood, Kahn, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Mayes, McConico, McDowell, Meyer, Miller, Mortimer, Palsrok, Pearce, Plakas, Polidori, Proos, Sak, Shaffer, Alma Smith, Spade, Stahl, Stewart, Taub, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Waters, Wojno and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 64.

            A resolution honoring Food Allergy Awareness Week May 8-14, 2005.

Whereas, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about food allergies and anaphylaxis; and

Whereas, Hundreds of Americans die each year due to food induced anaphylaxis.  This is a systemic allergic reaction that involving the skin, respiratory tract, and cardiovascular system.  The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network works very hard to create awareness to curb as many of these unnecessary deaths as possible; and

Whereas, Since the inception of FAAN in 1991 many lives have been saved and public awareness is at an all time high.  Membership in the network is now at 27,000, which consists of families, dietitians, nurses, physicians, school staff, and representatives from government agencies.  FAAN members have presented food allergy information by giving presentations showing videos, and reading stories to children’s classes. The organizers work passionately to educate all people so that lives may be saved; and  

Whereas, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network will kick off their annual Food Allergy Awareness Week on May 8, 2005.  The week will be highlighted by a national dress down day “Blue Jeans for Food Allergies” on May 13th, and the final ceremony will be the 12th Annual Food Allergy Conference in Chicago, Illinois which will be held on May 14th.  The Food Allergy Awareness Week helps to foster a sense of community and well being for all citizens of the state of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor Food Allergy Awareness Week May 8-14, 2005.  We join the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network in celebrating Food Allergy Awareness Week, and applaud it for its goal to create awareness about this important public health issue; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the officials of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network as a token of our esteem.