"National Amputee Awareness Week"

"National Amputee Awareness Week"

O&P L Members;

The United States Senate on June 29, 2000, introduced a resolution
designating the week beginning September 24, 2000, as National Amputee
Awareness Week.

The Board of Directors and Members of the National Association of Orthotics
and Prosthetics (NAAOP) would like to take this opportunity to express our
appreciation to all US amputees and the National Organizations representing
needs for their continuing efforts to awareness of this significant
disability.

We encourage all individuals to join us in increasing national awareness of
the struggles, as well as the successes of this very unique disability group.

John N. Billock, CPO,
Board Member & Co-Chairman of the NAAOP Legislative Committee


106th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 330
Designating the week beginning September 24, 2000, as `National Amputee
Awareness Week'.


IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 29, 2000
Mr. INHOFE submitted the following resolution; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary



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RESOLUTION
Designating the week beginning September 24, 2000, as `National Amputee
Awareness Week'.

Whereas current research indicates that more than 1.5 million Americans, of
all ages and of both genders, have had amputations;

Whereas every year 156,000 individuals in the United States lose a limb;

Whereas each month 13,000 individuals lose a limb;

Whereas each week 2,996 individuals lose a limb;

Whereas each day 428 individuals lose a limb;

Whereas becoming an amputee is a lifetime condition, not just a temporary
circumstance;

Whereas prosthetic care can range in cost from $8,000 to more than $70,000
depending on the level of care and function of the patient;

Whereas most insurance policies cover prosthetics with the stipulation of one
prosthesis per patient for life;

Whereas the average prosthesis lasts between three and five years;

Whereas the general public is unaware of the plight of the amputee community;

Whereas an increased awareness to the issues faced by the amputee community
will also bring about increased awareness for further research; and

Whereas establishing `National Amputee Awareness Week' will bring the cause
of amputee awareness to the national front: Now, therefore, be it


Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) proclaims the week of September 24, through September 30, 2000, as
`National Amputee Awareness Week'; and

(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people
of the United States, interested groups, and affected persons to promote the
awareness of the amputee community, and to observe the week with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.