Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas The American Lung Association’s 2012 State of the Air Report shows great progress but important work left to do on air quality; and
Whereas Air pollution is linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, aggravated asthma and other respiratory illnesses, increased hospitalizations, and premature death; and
Whereas Air pollution particularly affects our most vulnerable residents: seniors, children and those with compromised health; and
Whereas Air pollution can exacerbate asthma, affecting the 120,000 children in the Commonwealth who suffer with this debilitating disease, and making it a leading cause of school absences; and
Whereas Healthy air will protect public health, save lives, and reduce healthcare costs,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 25th, 2012 to be
Healthy Air Day
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this ninth day of March, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts