HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 788 Offered January 19, 2007 Commending Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ---------- Patrons-- Dance, Cox and Ingram ----------

WHEREAS, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., parent company of Boehringer-Ingelheim Chemicals of Petersburg, is recognized for its outstanding efforts to increase awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to support COPD patients and their families in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Petersburg Boehringer-Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc., plant has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies since 1991 and produces the highest quality active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry in FDA-inspected and DEA-approved facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies has been the leader in a national initiative to raise awareness and support for COPD disease management, securing the support of citizens, government entities, healthcare organizations, and lawmakers across the country; and

WHEREAS, COPD is a chronic and progressive disease, which impacts almost 300,000 residents of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, also known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the only one of the top five causes that is rising in prevalence and death rate; and

WHEREAS, the cost in health care for COPD patients in the United States, as estimated in 2004, is approximately $37 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, early diagnosis and treatment of these patients can effectively reduce the overall cost of the disease and reduce the financial burden to public programs such as those administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, which has included COPD in its disease management strategies; and

WHEREAS, proper management of COPD can lead to improved quality of life and self-sufficiency for patients, whose care is often managed and paid for by public programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Boehringer-Ingelheim Chemicals, Inc., for their outstanding efforts to increase awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to support COPD patients and their families in the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for their commitment to improve the treatment and management of COPD in the Commonwealth.