RESOLUTION NO. RS2016-370

A resolution recognizing Friday, September 9, 2016, as “Purple Out” Day in Nashville in honor of Lupus Awareness.

WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has a responsibility to raise awareness concerning the health and well-being of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, lupus is one of those health concerns, affecting over 1.5 million Americans and over 30,000 Tennesseans; and

WHEREAS, lupus is one of the cruelest diseases known to man, in that it is unpredictable and can ravage different parts of the human body, and that, as an autoimmune disease, it can impact any organ or tissue, from skin to the heart or kidneys; and

WHEREAS, two of the leading causes of serious illness and death from lupus are kidney and heart disease; and

WHEREAS, while people of all races and ethnicities can develop lupus, lupus occurs as many as two to three times more frequently among African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics/Latinos, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans than among Caucasians; and

WHEREAS, lupus is a mysterious disease in that it is difficult to diagnose and there is no single blood test to diagnose it; and

WHEREAS, the Mid-South Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America was established in Nashville in 1977 and has grown over that time to a group with over 1,000 members and a strong Board that is actively engaged in getting helpful information out about lupus to the community; and

WHEREAS, the Mid-South Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America is celebrating “Purple Out” Day on Friday, September 9, 2016, as a way to encourage Nashvillians and the people of Middle Tennessee to better understand lupus and to become a part of the Chapter’s efforts and that the Chapter is also encouraging citizens to come out and join them on Sunday, September 11, 2016 for their Annual Walk to End Lupus in Centennial Park; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes Friday, September 9, 2016, as “Purple Out” Day in Nashville to recognize the people who courageously battle lupus and to recognize the efforts of the Mid-South Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Friday, September 9, 2016 as “Purple Out” Day in Nashville in honor of Lupus Awareness.

Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jim Shulman