BRADENTON, FLORIDA

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Awareness Week

May 11-17, 1998

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as the overlapping disorders of multiple chemical sensitivities, or MCS, fibromyalgia, and Gulf War Illnesses are complex illnesses affecting many different body systems and organs, thus causing disabilities for ever increasing numbers of our population; and

WHEREAS: persons with one or more of these disorders suffer from symptoms including chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, memory loss, rashes ,asthma, headaches, chest pains and other respiratory and neurologicalÝ problems and;

WHEREAS: conservative estimates suggest that millions of adults and children require reasonable accommodations, information about and recognition of these illnesses, access for opportunities toÝ employment, schooling, public facilities and any other venue so that they might continue to contribute their skills, ideas, abilities, and knowledge, thus still feeling some sense of self-worth, and;

WHEREAS: such persons need understanding and support from family, friends, co-workers,Ý and society at large as they struggle with these disorders while trying to adapt to different but very necessary life styles; and

WHEREAS: persons with these disabilities are now recognized by local, state, and federal agencies, including Social Security Administration, HUD, and the Environmental Protection Agency; and

WHEREAS: education and training of health professionals must be expanded, as it is critical to develop further research into the causes of and cure for these illnesses;

THEREFORE: I, Bill Evers, Mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida , in support of needed understanding, education and research for these overlapping disorders, do hereby proclaim the week of May 11th, 1998 as CHRONIC FATIGUE AND IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME AND RELATED DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK in the city of Bradenton.