Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Sokola & Rep. Longhurst

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48

OBSERVING THE MONTH OF MARCH, 2018, AS “ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND COMMENDING THE DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DELAWARE ATHLETES.

WHEREAS, the month of March is designated each year as “Athletic Training Month,” both nationally and in the State of Delaware, to increase awareness regarding the important work of athletic trainers; and

WHEREAS, athletic trainers are highly-skilled healthcare professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide compassionate health care for athletes, patients, soldiers, workers, and performers; and

WHEREAS, athletic trainers have received extensive education in order to treat acute injuries and illnesses, such as concussion, cardiac arrest, cervical spine injury, and heat illness, as well as managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, or sickle cell disease, to ensure that athletes can safely practice and play; and

WHEREAS, professionals in this field have also developed expertise in implementing emergency action plans and concussion management protocols, which are becoming a widespread legal standard in the realm of sports; and

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians have all recommended the use of athletic trainers at schools that offer sports in order to bring about improved athlete safety; and

WHEREAS, the presence of an athletic trainer on the staff of a school has proven to be of great importance in providing health care to many children living below the poverty line who might otherwise not have access to medical resources; and

WHEREAS, athletic trainers have in effect paid for themselves, their presence having helped educational institutions realize substantial savings in insurance premiums to the point where schools without athletic trainers pay premiums greater than the cost of employing trainers;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the General Assembly does hereby recognize the month of March, 2018 as “Athletic Training Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate and House commend the Delaware Association of Athletic Trainers for the outstanding efforts of its members in increasing the health and safety of Delaware athletes and for all the good work it performs in Delaware’s schools, colleges, and elsewhere.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Senate Concurrent Resolution be presented to the Delaware Association of Athletic Trainers upon its passage.