THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY D. COSTA, MATZIE, BARRAR, BEYER, BOBACK, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CONKLIN, CUTLER, DENLINGER, DeWEESE, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, KILLION, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, McCALL, MELIO, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MOUL, M. O'BRIEN, READSHAW, ROSS, SAINATO, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, STABACK, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, SONNEY, PAYNE, MARSHALL, MURPHY, BOYLE, SANTONI, BISHOP, FAIRCHILD, GOODMAN, CASORIO, HELM, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, McILVAINE SMITH, OBERLANDER, PASHINSKI, PHILLIPS, REICHLEY, TRUE, YOUNGBLOOD, DeLUCA, GEORGE, BELFANTI AND GODSHALL, MARCH 23, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 23, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating March 21, 2010, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in

approximately one in every 800 births; and

WHEREAS, The most common form of Down syndrome, trisomy 21,

is due to an error in cell division, just prior to or during

conception, with the 21st chromosome dividing in three instead

of two, resulting in a person's being born with 47 instead of 46

chromosomes in each cell; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 400,000 people of various

ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic groups with Down

syndrome living in the United States; and

WHEREAS, While people with Down syndrome are at a higher risk

for various conditions, such as congenital heart defects,

respiratory problems and thyroid issues, advances in treatments

enable them to lead healthy lives; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to these medical treatments and continuing

research, life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has

increased from 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years of age today;

and

WHEREAS, Early intervention, appropriate speech, physical and

occupational therapies and quality education programs enable

people with Down syndrome to confront and conquer cognitive

delays; and

WHEREAS, With such programs and the support of their families

and communities, people with Down syndrome are able to attend

school, with many going on to college, obtain full-time

employment and enter into marriage; and

WHEREAS, Noting the significance of the triplication of the

21st chromosome, Down Syndrome International has chosen the 21st

day of the third month of the year, or March 21, 2010, as "World

Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania in order to raise public

awareness of Down syndrome and to recognize the dignity, rights

and well-being of people with this condition; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March

21, 2010, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania,

recognizing the positive contributions that people with Down

syndrome and their families make to our communities in

Pennsylvania, the United States and across the globe.