PRINTER'S NO. 3896
No. 715 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY BLAUM AND O'BRIEN, APRIL 24, 2006
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 24, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of April 2006 as "Autism Awareness Month"
2 in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong
4 developmental disability resulting in significant impairment of
5 an individual's ability to learn, develop healthy interactive
6 behaviors and understand verbal, nonverbal and reciprocal
7 communication; and
8 WHEREAS, Autism is the third most common developmental
9 disability, affecting more than 500,000 individuals nationwide
10 and 25,000 individuals in this Commonwealth; and
11 WHEREAS, Autism is the result of a neurological disorder
12 affecting the functioning of the brain, but few members of the
13 general public understand this complex syndrome; and
14 WHEREAS, Although a cure for autism has not been found,
15 persons with autism can be helped to reach their greatest
16 potential through accurate early diagnosis, appropriate
17 education and intervention; and
1 WHEREAS, Many support groups have dedicated years of service
2 in their ongoing efforts to advocate for the rights, humane
3 treatment and appropriate education of all persons with autism;
4 and
5 WHEREAS, These groups remain committed to their cause and to
6 educating families, professionals and the general public to
7 better understand this lifelong disability; and
8 WHEREAS, Autism is a complex disability requiring increased
9 research to one day find a cure and prevention and requiring
10 greater recognition and understanding to ensure that persons
11 with autism are accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated
12 throughout their lives; therefore be it
13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
14 month of April 2006 as "Autism Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania
15 and urge its observance throughout this Commonwealth.
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