PRINTER'S NO.  1790

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

No.

276

Session of

2010

  

  

INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, ALLOWAY, ARGALL, BAKER, BOSCOLA, BRUBAKER, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, HUGHES, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, LEACH, LOGAN, MELLOW, O'PAKE, ORIE, PILEGGI, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, STACK, TARTAGLIONE, WASHINGTON AND WAUGH, MARCH 22, 2010

  

  

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 22, 2010  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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

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Pennsylvania.

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WHEREAS, Down Syndrome International has officially earmarked

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March 21 as "World Down Syndrome Day," selecting the date to

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signify the uniqueness of Down syndrome in the triplication of

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the 21st chromosome; and

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WHEREAS, The annual observance of "World Down Syndrome Day"

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aims to promote awareness and understanding of Down syndrome and

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related issues and to mobilize support and recognition of the

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dignity, rights and well-being of persons with Down syndrome;

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and

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WHEREAS, Dr. Langdon Down originally identified Down syndrome

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as he noticed similar characteristics among many patients, and

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the cause was identified by Professor Jerome Lejeune as an extra

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21st chromosome, also known as trisomy 21; and

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WHEREAS Originally proposed by Dr. Balbir Singh of Down

 


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Syndrome International, the first events were organized on March

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21, 2006, in Singapore, which was selected as the location for

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the inaugural "World Down Syndrome Day"; and

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WHEREAS, Organizations throughout the nation use "World Down

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Syndrome Day" as a way to encourage their communities to focus

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on the possibilities and capabilities of individuals with Down

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syndrome and other special needs; and

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WHEREAS, The day is celebrated through Down syndrome

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awareness and education efforts, Down syndrome advocacy and Down

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syndrome fundraising to assist local organizations in providing

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outreach efforts and resources to individuals and families with

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Down syndrome; and

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WHEREAS, Although people with Down syndrome may be at risk

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for various medical challenges, appropriate medical

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interventions will help them live happy, healthy and productive

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lives; and

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WHEREAS, Most people with Down syndrome have mild to moderate

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cognitive impairment, making the importance of early

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intervention services even more of a priority; and

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WHEREAS, Many adults with Down syndrome are employed, live

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independently or in support settings and are active members of

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their communities; and

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WHEREAS, Many individuals with Down syndrome are now

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successful and famous in their own right, including Karen

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Gaffney, author, athlete and activist; Bernadette Resha, artist;

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Sujeet Desai, musician and activist; Jason Kingsley, author and

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actor; Mitchell Levitz, author and disabilities specialist; and

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Chris Burke, actor, singer, speaker and ambassador for the

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National Down Syndrome Society; and

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WHEREAS, Many of us know people with Down syndrome and they

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can be our children, our brothers or sisters, our classmates,

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our teammates and our friends; therefore be it

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RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize March 21, 2010, as "World

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Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania and commend individuals with

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Down syndrome, their friends and families for celebrating the

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uniqueness of Down syndrome through their daily actions and

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interactions.

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