March-National Brain Injury Awareness MonthPROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, each year, more Americans will experience brain injury than HIV/AIDS, breast cancer,
multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury combined. Despite incidence rates, brain injury remains largely
unseen by the American population and is frequently referred to as the 'silent epidemic'; and
WHEREAS, many people recover from their injuries, but each year an estimated 26,000 people
in the State of Washington sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) resulting in a permanent disability; and
WHEREAS, traumatic brain injury costs our nation a staggering $56.3 billion a year; and
WHEREAS, prevention is the only known cure; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is to create a better
future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, in order to carry out this mission, the BIAA provides information on topics such as
bike safety, falls, sports and recreation, violence, and transportation safety, and recommendations on
how to prevent injuries from occurring and participates in national coalitions with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the
Defense Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (DBSCIP), and the Brain Injury Association of Washington;
and
2017 as:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Putaansuu, Mayor of the City of Port Orchard, designate March
NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH
in the City of Port Orchard and I call upon all employees and citizens of the City of Port Orchard to
observe this month with appropriate recognition whereof.
Signed this 28th day of February, 2017
Robert Putaansuu, Mayor