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Pennsylvania State Senate
07/30/2024 04:25 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=41534
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: October 3, 2023 03:12 PM
From: Senator Scott Martin
To: All Senate members
Subject: October 2023 as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution designating October 2023 as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.
 
Down syndrome is a common genetic condition in which an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. According to the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 6,000, or roughly 1 in every 700 births, result in someone born with Down syndrome in the United States of America. Per the most recent data from the CDC, as of 2008 there were approximately 250,000 living in America. In addition, their life expectancy has increased from just 10 years of age in 1960 to nearly 60 years today. When accounting for the increased life expectancies and the steady birth rates, while not confirmed, some reports suggest the total population today stands in the upper echelon of the 300,000s.
 
Thanks in part to early intervention, therapies, quality education and proper support, these individuals have been given the opportunity and proven that they can adapt and thrive. They are all around us contributing to our society and making our shared lives and communities better for having known them.

The “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” designation has occurred nationally and at the individual state level since the 1980’s when the National Down Syndrome Society worked to celebrate these individuals and break down barriers facing them.

Please join me in cosponsoring this resolution to designate October 2023 as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” and to help raise awareness of and celebrate the many abilities of our loved ones with Down syndrome.


Introduced as SR193