Intro. Res. No. 1767-2000 Laid on the Table 8/8/2000

Introduced by Legislators Fields, Guldi and Caracciolo

WHEREAS, a shockingly high incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) – a rare form of soft tissue cancer that primarily affects the skeletal muscle of children, has been found in the most recent studies to appear clustered in Suffolk County; and

WHEREAS, the level of RMS for Suffolk County appears to be higher than the national average; and

WHEREAS, parents of children with RMS strongly advocate local analysis and investigation of this issue; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, the Suffolk Legislature Task Force on Brookhaven National Laboratory recommended, in the epidemiological sub-committee report, that the Suffolk County Legislature monitor the annual incidence rates for RMS in Suffolk County for a period of five (5) to ten (10) years; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of the County Department of Health Services should lead the County in this undertaking to ensure appropriate expertise, resources, and adherence to credible scientific standards; now, therefore, be it

1st RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of the County Department of Health Services is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed, pursuant to Section 9-3 of the SUFFOLK COUNTY CHARTER, to act in conjunction with the Rhabdomyosarcoma Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive survey to better identify the incidence of RMS in Suffolk County; and be it further

2nd RESOLVED, that a special Suffolk County Rhabdomyosarcoma Task Force is hereby created for the purpose of developing a comprehensive survey to better identify the incidence of RMS in Suffolk County; and be it further

3rd RESOLVED, that this Commission shall consist of the following nine (9) members:

1. the Chair of the County Health Committee, or any successor Committee thereto, or his or her designee;
2. Dr. Roger Grimson, from the University of Stony Brook, the Chair of the Suffolk County Legislature Brookhaven Laboratory Task Force;
3. the County Executive, or his or her designee;
4. Dr. Minna Barrett from the he breast cancer advocacy group known as "one in nine";
5. a representative from the organization, Seeking Answers About Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children (SEARCH);
6. a representative from the Standing for Truth About Radiation (STAR) Rhabdomyosarcoma Working Group (which has been awarded a grant to secure the service of an appropriate public health official to participate on the task force;
7. the County Commissioner of Health Services or her designee, who shall serve as Chairman of the Commission;
8. a representative from the County Legislature, to be selected by the Presiding Officer; and
9. a representative from the public health community, to be selected by the County Legislature;

and be it further

4th RESOLVED, that the RMS Task Force shall investigate the history, incidence, and possible causes of the apparent RMS cluster in Suffolk County; and be it further

5th RESOLVED, that the RMS Task Force shall be empowered to hold public meetings at their discretion and shall report to the County Legislature’s Health Committee at least two (2) times per year; and be it further

6th RESOLVED, that the RMS Task Force shall submit a written report on the status of its investigation to the County Legislature twelve (12) months after the first meeting of the Task Force; and be it further

7th RESOLVED, that the County Commissioner of Health Services is hereby further authorized, directed, and empowered to determine the most suitable County facility to host the RMS Task Force meetings; and be it further

8th RESOLVED, that the RMS Task Force is directed to inform the Legislature within six (6) months of their first meeting if it anticipates any expenditure of Suffolk County funds to complete the tasks assigned.

DATED: September 1, 2000

APPROVED BY:

/s/ Robert J. Gaffney

County Executive of Suffolk County

Date of Approval: September 13, 2000