SCR 2-BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH: MARCH 2007 3:04:41 PM CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2, Relating to establishing March 2007 as brain injury awareness month. [A brief discussion regarding SSHB 100 testimony ensued.] 3:07:13 PM MARIT CARLSON-VAN DORT, Staff to Senator Lesil McGuire, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, explained that this resolution is intended to draw awareness to traumatic brain injuries, in addition to supporting those who have suffered from such an injury, their families, and care providers. Traumatic brain injuries are one of the leading causes of death among young people in Alaska. She pointed out that Alaska has the highest number of traumatic brain injuries per capita. An estimated 12,000 Alaskans have suffered from this type of injury. She then gave examples of events that can lead to a traumatic brain injury. Many victims of these injuries live with permanent disability. "The tragedy of traumatic brain injury is exacerbated by the fact that it's preventable," she said. She went on to say that this type of injury is often life-altering, and can place a tremendous strain on everyone involved. March is recognized [as brain injury awareness month] by the Brain Injury Awareness Association of America. 3:08:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN inquired as to whether March is currently recognized as an "awareness month." MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT replied that she is unable to answer this. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report SCR 2 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SCR 2 was reported from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.