HR0278

LRB094 11929 RXD 44550 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes that the 
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abuse of steroids among America's youth has reached dangerous 
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levels and become a national concern; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Steroid abuse was once viewed as a problem 
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associated only with body builders and professional athletes; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, Though these segments of the population continue 
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to experience steroid abuse, use among young Americans has now 
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reached an alarming level; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The 2003 Monitoring the Future Study conducted by 
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the University of Michigan indicates that approximately 3.5% of 
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American high school students have used illegal anabolic 
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steroids at least once by grade 12, and an incredible 45% of 
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all 12th graders did not believe taking steroids posed a great 
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risk; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Compounding the dangerous misconception among 
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many young people that steroid use is harmless is the 
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high-profile use of steroids among professional athletes, who 
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our nation's youth often idolize and seek to emulate; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The idolization of sports heroes and the 
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enticement of improved athletic performance have led many of 
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our nation's youth to turn to steroids; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The negative effects of long term anabolic steroid 
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use are well documented and include damage to the liver, 
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kidney, and sexual organs, increased risk of heart disease, 
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hypertension, elevated cholesterol, depression, stunted 
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growth, eating disorders, and uncontrolled outbursts of anger, 
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frustration, or combativeness resulting in wanton acts of 
 


 






HR0278
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LRB094 11929 RXD 44550 r




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violence; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The House of Representatives recognizes the 
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increasing popularity of steroid use among young athletes and 
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the harmful effects of such use; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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there is created a Task Force to study the use of steroids 
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among young athletes consisting of 10 members appointed as 
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follows: 5 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
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Representatives, one of whom shall be designated by the Speaker 
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of the House of Representatives to serve as the chairperson of 
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the Task Force, and 5 members appointed by the Minority Leader 
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of the House of Representatives.