Senate Resolution No. 5076

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 30-May 4, 2018 as Air Quality Awareness Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations which focus on improving air quality in order to benefit
the health of our citizens, while setting the highest level of
environmental standards for the state and country; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30-May 4, 2018 as
Air Quality Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Air Quality Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, The EPA and its AirNow partners, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Forest Service
(USFS) and the United States Department of State have designated this
special week to remind people of the importance of air quality and how
air quality forecasts can play an important part in our daily lives; and

WHEREAS, It is important that individuals are made aware of the
effects they have on air quality and air pollution and vice versa; and

WHEREAS, This year's theme is entitled "Air Quality Where You Are";
the 2018 topics include: AirNow - 20th Anniversary!, Health (World
Asthma Day), Wildfires, Citizen Science/Air Quality Sensors, and Air
Quality Around the World; and

WHEREAS, Ozone- and particle-forming pollutants come from a wide
variety of sources, including cars, buses, power plants, and industries;
natural sources such as wildfires and dust storms contribute to particle
pollution, and trees and other vegetation emit organic compounds which
contribute to particle and ozone pollution; and

WHEREAS, Exposure to high levels of ozone and particle pollution is
linked with a number of significant health problems; children, people
with lung disease, older adults, and people with heart disease tend to
be more vulnerable; when pollution reaches high enough levels, the air
can be unhealthy for everyone, especially those who are active outdoors;
and

WHEREAS, People should use the Air Quality Index and daily air
quality forecasts to help determine when pollutant levels are high and
what steps should be taken to protect themselves; and

WHEREAS, Americans can help reduce pollution by following these
steps: carpool or use public transportation; delay using lawn mowers
and other gasoline-powered lawn equipment until later in the day; avoid
burning leaves, trash, and other materials; and keep their car in good
operating condition and get regular tune ups; and

WHEREAS, National Air Quality Awareness Week aims to promote events
which increase quality awareness and inspire people to take steps, no
matter how large or small, to reduce their contribution to air
pollution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30-May 4, 2018 as
Air Quality Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.