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Lake County proclaims June National Cancer Survivor Month; councilor urges investigation of local pollution reports
Summary
The Lake County Council adopted a resolution declaring June National Cancer Survivor Month. During discussion, a councilor urged county leadership to investigate a news report linking high cancer rates in Gary to local industrial pollution and to pursue research and prevention measures.
The Lake County Council voted to proclaim June as National Cancer Survivor Month and acknowledged survivors and families affected by cancer in the community.
Why it matters: During debate on the resolution, Councilman Brown urged the council to take a leadership role in investigating a recent news report suggesting elevated cancer rates in Gary and nearby communities, and to examine whether local industrial pollution, including discharges possibly linked to U.S. Steel and other facilities, could be a contributing factor.
What the council did: The resolution recognizing National Cancer Survivor Month was presented and approved by the council; the meeting record shows the resolution was moved and the motion carried with the result announced from the dais (the meeting text records the outcome as “Motion passes 6 1 0; 1 absent”).
Discussion highlights: Councilman Brown said the news report described a young woman in the Gary area and included doctors’ commentary about pollution and cancer. “I don’t think it should be something swept underneath the rug,” Brown said, urging the council to pursue what research exists on pollutants in the air or water. He named Gary, East Chicago and Whiting as communities likely to be affected and said county leadership should seek information about what the report found and who might be responsible.
Next steps and limits: The council adopted the ceremonial resolution recognizing survivors; the transcript records requests that staff and county leadership review the news report and that the council consider pursuing further inquiry. The meeting did not record a formal motion to open an investigation, nor did it record any specific budgetary appropriation to fund testing or research.
Context: The resolution cites national survivorship statistics and survivor support as reasons to declare the month. Local speakers framed the health concern as a community priority and asked for follow-up from municipal leadership in Gary and from county offices.
Ending: Councilors asked staff to share the referenced news report with the council and to report back on any available county or regional data; no formal investigative action was recorded at the meeting.
