PRINTER'S NO. 2725
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
609
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY KULIK, TURZAI, RAPP, MUSTIO, READSHAW, KAVULICH,
BARRAR, NEILSON, MARSHALL, BERNSTINE, TOPPER, ROTHMAN,
THOMAS, BAKER, B. MILLER, KLUNK, PYLE, ROE, RYAN, HARPER,
SACCONE, SCHEMEL, FEE, EVERETT, DOWLING, MAHER, BARBIN,
MARSICO, SAYLOR, KNOWLES, PICKETT, WARD, OBERLANDER, CORBIN,
TOOHIL, M. QUINN, KORTZ, PHILLIPS-HILL, HELM, CUTLER,
WHEELAND AND ORTITAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 20, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating people with Down syndrome and denouncing the
practice of selectively aborting fetuses with Down syndrome.
WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition associated
with intellectual disability, a characteristic facial appearance
and weak muscle tone in infancy; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, it was estimated that approximately 206,366
individuals in the United States had Down syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The majority of children diagnosed with Down
syndrome can learn to read and write and many succeed in typical
academic classrooms in public schools across the country; and
WHEREAS, Babies born with Down syndrome grow to lead
productive lives, develop interpersonal relationships with
family and friends, become active members of their communities
and make meaningful contributions to society; and
WHEREAS, An increasing number of adults with Down syndrome
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are able to live independently with limited assistance and
obtain and maintain employment in a variety of positions; and
WHEREAS, People diagnosed with Down syndrome have become
politicians, painters and musicians and have gone on to pursue
and earn degrees in higher education; and
WHEREAS, Medical procedures such as chorionic villus sampling
and amniocentesis have made it possible to diagnose a fetus with
Down syndrome while still in the womb; and
WHEREAS, When given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome for
their child, some women may feel pressure from their doctor or
others to abort; and
WHEREAS, Prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome should not be
used as a reason to end a life nor should selective abortion be
perceived as a health care solution; and
WHEREAS, Prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome should be a step
to prepare families for the challenges and successes that will
be had by the child rather than a means of selectively aborting
the child; and
WHEREAS, Rather than using resources to take a life,
resources should be used to improve the lives of the children
with Down syndrome, developing treatments for children with Down
syndrome, developing effective behavioral and educational
programs for children with Down syndrome and supporting families
of children with Down syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Practices contrary to supporting developing fetuses
and children born with Down syndrome perpetuate the stigma
attached to these children rather than recognizing their value
to society; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome should be respected
and celebrated for the joy and contributions they bring to their
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communities and society; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives celebrate people
with Down syndrome and denounce the practice of selectively
aborting fetuses with Down syndrome.
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