WHEREAS, pain touches everyone in Idaho at some time in their life; and

        WHEREAS, approximately 250,000 Idahoans live with chronic pain caused by disease or disorders; and

        WHEREAS, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, pain costs the United States more than $100 billion annually in lost workdays, medical expenses, and other benefit costs; and

        WHEREAS, while medical knowledge and technology exists in Idaho to relieve or greatly ease pain, pain often goes untreated, under-treated, or improperly treated when healthcare professionals do not have the knowledge to effectively treat pain; and

        WHEREAS, untreated chronic pain may rob Idahoans of their quality of life – affecting their physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being; and

        WHEREAS, the people of Idaho deserve the most effective and appropriate treatment of pain; and

        WHEREAS, the Idaho Pain Initiative is a grass roots coalition for the state of Idaho, offering education and practical information to healthcare professionals and to consumers experiencing pain;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C. L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2008, to be

Pain Awareness Month

in Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 27th day of August in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-third and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred nineteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE