SENATE PASSES FEINGOLD-SNOWE MEASURE RECOGNIZING
WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK
Week of May 11, 2008 Designated to Raise Awareness of Women Health
Issues
May 8, 2008
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution
reintroduced by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
recognizing May 11-17, 2008 as National Women’s Health Week (NWHW).
Feingold and Snowe’s resolution supports the goal of NWHW by calling
on Americans to take the week as an opportunity to learn about health
issues women face and recognizes the importance of federally funded
programs that provide research on common diseases in women. For the
past three years Feingold and Snowe have led efforts to pass the congressional
resolution supporting NWHW. A concurrent resolution was introduced in
the House of Representatives by Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY),
Lois Capps (D-CA), and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) last month.
“I am pleased the Senate has recognized how important it is to
raise awareness about the manageable steps women can take to improve
their health,” Feingold said. “National Women’s Health
Week plays an important role in promoting positive changes women can
make to live longer, healthier lives.”
“There are a countless number of new tests, screenings and preventive
measures women can utilize that can help stem the tide of disease that
has already claimed too many lives,” said Senator Snowe. “National
Women’s Health Week is about raising awareness to the innovative
measures that are available to all women and to encourage them to take
advantage of the medical breakthroughs that are being discovered every
year so all women can have a better and longer quality of life.”
"I'm very grateful for Senator Feingold's and Senator Snowe's
long-standing commitment to women's health issues and for once again
securing Senate approval of our resolution that recognizes the importance
of National Women's Health Week," Congressman Maurice Hinchey said.
"This measure, which I expect the House to approve next week, will
help raise awareness for a weeklong initiative focused on educating
women about the important lifesaving screenings and steps they can take
to lead healthier lives," said Hinchey.
NWHW begins on Mother’s Day annually and celebrates the efforts
of national and community organizations working with partners and volunteers
to improve awareness of key women’s health issues. NWHW encourages
women of all backgrounds to reduce their risk of common diseases by
engaging in physical activity, eating a nutritious diet, and visiting
a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventative
screenings. The National Council of Women's Organization fully endorses
this resolution on behalf of its 230 member organizations representing
11 million women.
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