California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 39

Introduced by Assembly Member Perea

March 20, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 39—Relative to American Cancer Society Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 39, as introduced, Perea. American Cancer Society Day.

This measure would designate May 22, 2013, as American Cancer Society Day.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society, originally named
the American Society for the Control of Cancer, was established
in 1913 and has 100 years of milestones in the fight against cancer;
and

WHEREAS, The Women’s Field Army started raising money
and educating the public about cancer in 1937; and

WHEREAS, In 1944, the American Cancer Society prioritized
the funding of cancer research which has, to date, funded 46 Nobel
Laureates and is the largest nongovernmental, not-for-profit
funding source of cancer research; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society made a connection
between lung cancer and smoking in 1950, which led to education
and laws that have greatly reduced smoking rates; and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society helped seek passage
of the Cancer Act of 1971, which established the National Cancer
Institute and now funds billions of dollars annually for research;
and

WHEREAS, Relay For Life was launched by an American
Cancer Society volunteer in 1985 and is now the largest grassroots
fundraising event in the world, having raised over $3 billion to
date and raising $400 million annually to fund cancer research,
education, advocacy, and service for cancer patients; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, the American Cancer Society opened the
doors to the National Cancer Information Center which receives
nearly one million calls annually seeking information on cancer;
and

WHEREAS, In 2003, American Cancer Society researchers
linked obesity to most types of cancer and concluded that obesity
could account for 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20
percent of cancer deaths in women; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, for the first time in history, the actual
number of cancer deaths in the United States declined thanks in
large part to the American Cancer Society’s groundbreaking and
tireless work in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment;
and

WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society and its advocacy
affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network,
were successful in gaining support and passage of legislation
granting the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority
over tobacco products; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the American Cancer Society reported
that cancer death rates had declined by 20 percent over the last 20
years, which is the equivalent of 1.2 million lives saved; and

WHEREAS, On Thursday, May 22, 2013, the American Cancer
Society, “The Official Sponsor of Birthdays,” will celebrate its
100th birthday; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates May
22, 2013, as American Cancer Society Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges all citizens of our state to
join together to finish the fight against cancer; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.