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TO RECOGNIZE AND HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT ATHLETE SAFETY AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE PALMETTO STATE TO ENSURE SAFETY FOR THEIR STUDENT ATHLETES.
Whereas, it is of the utmost importance that South Carolina schools protect the health and safety of their student athletes during all practices, games, and meets; and
Whereas, without attention to this protection, schools may face tragic and unnecessary deaths as a result of school athletic events; and
Whereas, the need for such attention has been made abundantly clear. For example, according to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Sudden Death In Athletes project, a recent study of one hundred thirty-four athletes who died suddenly from a variety of cardiovascular diseases showed that only 3 percent of those individuals were suspected to have cardiac disease, as determined during exposure to standard preparticipation screenings; and
Whereas, the study indicated that a total of 1,866 athletes between the ages of eight and thirty-nine in thirty-eight sports either died suddenly from, or survived, cardiac arrest in the United States between 1980 and 2006; and
Whereas, in addition to heart-related problems and, of course, injuries, heat stroke can cause student athlete deaths, a situation that is almost entirely preventable; and
Whereas, in order to provide protection to student athletes, schools are encouraged to have professionals such as athletic trainers or health care professionals, at competitive athletic practices, games, and meets and further encourage schools to seek public/private partnerships with local hospitals, physicians, and other health care and athletic professionals to provide their services; and
Whereas, because our young people are our most precious resource, the General Assembly wishes to urge all schools in the Palmetto State to adequately provide for the protection of the health and safety of our student athletes. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and highlight the importance of student athlete safety and encourage all school districts in the Palmetto State to ensure safety for their student athletes.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex.
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