PRINTER'S NO. 837
No. 45 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY ARMSTRONG, TARTAGLIONE, MOWERY, JUBELIRER, WAGNER,
STOUT, TOMLINSON, KUKOVICH, LOGAN, THOMPSON, ROBBINS,
PICCOLA, BRIGHTBILL, BODACK AND MURPHY, APRIL 2, 2001
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, APRIL 2, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of April 2001 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 approximately 1 in 500 births; and
10 WHEREAS, Few members of the general public understand this
11 complex disorder which results from abnormalities in brain
12 structure and function; and
13 WHEREAS, Although a cure for autism has not been found,
14 persons with autism can be helped to reach their greatest
15 potential; and
16 WHEREAS, Accurate, early diagnosis and appropriate education
17 and intervention are vital to the future growth and development
1 of persons with autism; and
2 WHEREAS, Support groups such as the Autism Society of America
3 have dedicated years of service in their ongoing efforts to
4 advocate for the rights, humane treatment and appropriate
5 education of all persons with autism and remain committed to
6 helping families, professionals and the general public
7 understand this lifelong disability; and
8 WHEREAS, Autism requires increased research to one day find a
9 cure and prevention and requires greater recognition and
10 understanding to ensure that persons with autism are accurately
11 diagnosed and appropriately treated throughout their lives; and
12 WHEREAS, On April 27, 2001, Pennsylvania representatives of
13 Unlocking Autism will be in Washington D.C. for the 2001 Autism
14 Awareness Rally, "The Power of One"; and
15 WHEREAS, At that time Unlocking Autism is displaying its
16 second annual "Open Your Eyes" project consisting of photographs
17 of children and adults from all walks of life who have been
18 diagnosed with autism; therefore be it
19 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize April 2001 as "Autism
20 Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
D2L82DMS/20010S0045R0837 - 2 -