HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 86

(By Delegates Waxman, Rohrbach, Hamrick, Border, Butler, Cadle, Elllington, Espinosa, A. Evans, Fast, Frich, Hamilton, Hill, Kessinger, Lane, Miller, Statler and B. White)

[February 22, 2016]

Designating April 16, 2016, as World Voice Day.

Whereas, It is estimated that nearly seven million Americans suffer from some form of voice disorder.  Voice disorders can impact the everyday lives of those affected by inhibiting their ability to effectively express themselves; and

Whereas, There are many ways in which people can conserve their voice and prevent the development of voice disorders, including keeping hydrated, minimizing activities causing vocal strain such as yelling, warming up before heavy vocal use, using appropriate breath support, using amplification and paying attention to voice cues; and

Whereas, It is important to draw state, national and international awareness to the existence of voice disorders and the availability of services provided by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, the only medical doctor specifically trained to treat the ear, nose, throat, head and neck, as well as other specialized providers for the amelioration of these disorders; and

Whereas, Every year on April 16, otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and other voice health professionals worldwide join together to recognize World Voice Day, an international celebration of the human voice established to help raise public and professional awareness about voice disorders.  World Voice Day, sponsored in the U.S. by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, encourages men and women, young and old, to assess their vocal health and take action to improve or maintain good voice habits; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature joins the West Virginia Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in observing April 16, 2016, as World Voice Day in the State of West Virginia and encourages its citizens to practice techniques that may help prevent the onset of a voice disorder or to visit an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon if they are suffering from a voice disorder; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the West Virginia Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.