1Designating the month of October 2013 as "Dwarfism Awareness
2Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Dwarfism is a rare medical condition, with an
4estimated 30,000 people in the United States and more than
5650,000 people worldwide having some type of dwarfism; and

6WHEREAS, Dwarfism affects bone growth but generally does not
7affect cognitive abilities; and

8WHEREAS, Dwarfism is a recognized condition under the
9Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336, 104
10Stat. 327); and

11WHEREAS, While the medical prognosis for persons with
12dwarfism is highly individualized, the majority of persons with
13dwarfism enjoy normal intelligence, normal life spans and
14reasonably good health; and

15WHEREAS, Other persons with dwarfism will require surgeries
16or other medical interventions to address complications and

1maximize mobility; and

2WHEREAS, The preferred terminology for persons with dwarfism
3includes "persons of short stature," "persons having dwarfism"
4or "little persons"; and

5WHEREAS, "Midget," an antiquated term, may offend persons
6with dwarfism; and

7WHEREAS, Persons with dwarfism can turn to support
8organizations such as the Little People of America, Inc., (LPA)
9for guidance on parenting, adoption, education, medical
10consultation, physical fitness, peer support, community outreach
11and advocacy; and

12WHEREAS, The oldest and largest support organization for
13persons with dwarfism in the United States, LPA is dedicated to
14improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism, while
15celebrating with great pride their contributions to social
16diversity; therefore be it

17RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
18month of October 2013 as "Dwarfism Awareness Month" in
19Pennsylvania.