2002 SESSION

02-3185

01/09

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 3

ANALYSIS

This senate concurrent resolution expresses the fundamental importance of public health to the people of New Hampshire.

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02-3185

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

Whereas, it is true for public health that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; and

Whereas, additional steps are necessary to help New Hampshire to be prepared for a response to potential threats to the public's health; and

Whereas, there has been recent recognition by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the critical role of local public health organizations in responding to bioterrorism; and

Whereas, the need to respond to the threat of chronic diseases as leading causes of death remains imminent; and

Whereas, the need exists to improve the state's surveillance and control of communicable diseases; and

Whereas, additional infrastructure and capacity are necessary if the state is to improve its readiness for and response to any potential health threat; and

Whereas, population-based health promotion and disease prevention efforts have repeatedly been proven to be effective ways to save both lives and dollars; and

Whereas, prevention starts at home, gains strength by local, county, and state efforts, and is driven by such national institutions as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

Whereas, tobacco settlement funds provide a logical and substantial potential source of funding for such efforts; and

Whereas, federal and state agencies have already made a commitment to improving the public's health through the creation and implementation of the National Healthy People 2010 and Healthy New Hampshire 2010 plans; and

Whereas, part I, article 31 of the New Hampshire constitution dictates that "The legislature shall assemble for the redress of public grievances and for making such laws as the public good may require"; and

Whereas, protecting the public's good includes protecting the health and welfare of its citizens; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the general court senses that now is the time to strengthen our public health system and to ensure that New Hampshire is adequately prepared to respond to all potential threats to the public's health; and

That copies of this resolution be forwarded by the senate clerk to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation, and the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Approved: April 17, 2002