STATE OF ILLINOIS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

PROCLAMATION

Whereas   Chronic Lung Diseases known collectively as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, are the 4th leading cause of death in Illinois and in the United States, and

Whereas  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases cost the United States more than $30 billion per year in healthcare expenditures and indirect costs, and

Whereas  16 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with some form of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, with a similar number of undiagnosed cases and

Whereas  more than 4,000 Illinois citizens die each year due to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and
Whereas  awareness, early detection and treatment are crucial in the prevention or slowing of the spread of lung disease in this country.

Therefore, I Rod R. Blagojevic, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim November 2003 as  CHRONIC  OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH IN ILLINOIS AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE DISEASE AND THE SEROUS EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS LUNG DISORDER.   

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE UNTO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO BE AFFIXED.

           DONE IN THE CAPITAL IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD THIS  FIFTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER, IN           THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND AND THREE, AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THE ONE           HUNDREDTH AND EIGHTY-FIFTH.

JESEE WHITE                  ROD BLOGOJEVICH
  SEC OF STATE                        GOVERNOR