CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

HONORING AND RECOGNIZING CONSUMERS FOR DENTAL CHOICE (CONSUMERS) FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN CREATING PUBLIC AWARENESS AS TO THE IMPORTANTANCE OF SAFE, NON-TOXIC DENTAL CARE FOR ALL CHILDREN, PARTICULARILY FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNDERPRIVIDGED AND RECEIVE FREE DENTAL TREATMENT INCLUDING "GIVE A KID A SMILE DAY" ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004.

WHEREAS, CONSUMERS, A NON-PROFIT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN WORKING TO ABOLISH THE USE OF MERCURY IN DENTISTRY AND TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT INFORMED CHOICE OF DENTAL CARE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL IRREGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC LEVEL.

WHEREAS, CONSUMERS, HAS WORKED FOR MORE THAN 6 YEARS TO STOP THE USE OF MERCURY IN AMALGAM DENTAL FILLINGS WHICH CAN BE POISONOUS FOR THE VULNERABLE POPULATION OF CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN AND WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE. CHILDREN WITHOUT INSURANCE OR THOSE WHO MUST RELY ON STATE HEALTH INSURANCE UNFORTUNATELY HAVE NO CHOICE, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR - CDC URGES YOUR SUPPORT IN CREATING PUBLIC AWARENESS TO OVERTURN THE INEQUITIES OF "NO CHOICE"; AND

WHEREAS, IN 2002, THE NATIONAL NAACP ADOPTED A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT U.S. CONGRESSIONAL BILL HR4163, THE "MERCURY IN DENTAL FILLINGS DISCLOSURE AND PROHIBITION ACT" TO IMMEDIATELY PROTECT AT RISK POPULATIONS FROM MERCURY IN DENTAL AMALGAM, REINTRODUCED IN 2003 AS HR 1680. IN ADDITION, THE NATIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OF STATE LEGISLATORS PASSED A SIMILAR RESOLUTION ON NOVEMBER 20, 2001. IT ENDORSED MERCURY DENTAL HEALTH WARNINGS, PARTICULARIZED CONCERN FOR THE HEALTH EFFECTS ON CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSING MOTHERS; AND

WHEREAS, THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY HONORS AND RECOGNIZES CONSUMERS FOR DENTAL CHOICE FOR ADDRESSING A MAJOR HEALTH ISSUE EFFECTING CHILDREN OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND SURROUNDING AREAS, AND FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROVIDING PUBLIC AWARENESS FOR SAFE MERCURY-FREE DENTAL CARE FOR THE DISADVANTAGED DURING NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH 2004 AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA