LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 2014 as Youth Sports Safety Month in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National Youth Sports Safety
Month

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in calling attention to
awareness of serious injuries which affect many New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2014 as Youth Sports Safety
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Youth Sports Safety Month, calling particular attention to
concussions and other brain injuries experienced by the youth of our
great State; and
WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDCP), participation in organized sports is on the rise;
nearly 30 million children and adolescents participate in youth sports
in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Each year, hospital emergency rooms, nationwide, treat an
estimated 173,285 sports and recreation-related traumatic brain inju-
ries, including concussions, among children, birth-19; and
WHEREAS, Coaches of every school athletic team and every extracurric-
ular athletic activity should be trained to recognize the signs and
symptoms of brain injury, including concussions and second impact
syndrome; young athletes who appear to have sustained a concussion
should have written authorization by a healthcare professional before
returning to play; and
WHEREAS, A concussion is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head,
or from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and
forth; most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness and,
according to the CDCP, a lack of proper diagnosis and management of a
concussion may result in serious long-term consequences, or risk of coma
or death; signs and symptoms may be noticeable immediately, or it may
take days or weeks before they are present; and
WHEREAS, Concussions are one of the most commonly reported injuries in
children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational
activities; the CDCP reports an estimated 3.8 million sports- and
recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year; and
WHEREAS, Concussions can occur in any organized or unorganized sport
or recreational activity and can result from a fall or from players
colliding with each other, the ground, or with obstacles; continuing to
play with a concussion or symptoms of head injury leaves the young
athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury and even death; and
WHEREAS, The health and well-being of the people of the State of New
York is of paramount importance to this Legislative Body; despite some
increased recognition about the importance of diagnosing and treating
concussions, some affected youth, our most precious resource, continue
to be prematurely returned to play; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2014 as Youth
Sports Safety Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Youth Sports Safety Month, to call attention to
this important medical concern and to help inform and educate its citi-
zenry; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.