THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY D. O'BRIEN, ELLIS, DeWEESE, MARSHALL, ADOLPH, BAKER, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BEYER, BISHOP, BOBACK, BOYD, BOYLE, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROWN, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CIVERA, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, CREIGHTON, CURRY, CUTLER, DELOZIER, DeLUCA, DENLINGER, DePASQUALE, DERMODY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EACHUS, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GROVE, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HARPER, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, JOHNSON, KAUFFMAN, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MANDERINO, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, McCALL, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILNE, MOUL, MUNDY, MURPHY, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PEIFER, PETRI, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, RAPP, REED, REICHLEY, ROAE, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STABACK, STERN, SWANGER, J. TAYLOR, TRUE, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WANSACZ, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD AND YUDICHAK, MARCH 26, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 26, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the month of April 2009 as "Autism Awareness Month"

and April 2, 2009, as "World Autism Day" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Autism, a complex disability often involving mental

retardation, requires greater recognition and understanding to

ensure that all individuals with autism, whether or not they

have mental retardation, are accurately diagnosed and

appropriately treated throughout their lives; and

WHEREAS, Autism is a developmental disability resulting in

significant impairment of an individual's ability to learn,

develop healthy interactive behaviors and understand verbal,

nonverbal and reciprocal communication; and

WHEREAS, Autism is the result of a neurological disorder

affecting brain function, which few members of the general

public understand; and

WHEREAS, Although a cure for autism has not been found,

individuals with autism can be assisted in reaching their

greatest potential through accurate early diagnosis, appropriate

education and intervention; and

WHEREAS, About 1 in 150 American children has autism, which

has been called an urgent public health concern that is more

common than previously thought; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Public Welfare recently created

the Office of Developmental Programs, which includes the Bureau

of Autism Services to provide expertise and support for all

agencies serving Pennsylvanians with autism; and

WHEREAS, Creation of the Bureau of Autism Services, along

with the Commonwealth's commitment to fund additional services

and supports for autistic children and adults, will bring about

a new day for those individuals and their families; therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

month of April 2009 as "Autism Awareness Month" and April 2,

2009, as "World Autism Day" in Pennsylvania and urge its

observance throughout this Commonwealth for the benefit of all

who are diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum and their

families.