PRINTER'S NO. 498
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
121
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MARSHALL, O'NEILL, RAPP, BAKER, BARRAR,
BENNINGHOFF, V. BROWN, BROWNLEE, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA,
CUTLER, DEASY, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, DUSH, FARINA,
FLYNN, FREEMAN, GABLER, GIBBONS, GILLEN, GODSHALL, GOODMAN,
GREINER, GRELL, HAHN, HARHART, A. HARRIS, J. HARRIS, HELM,
KAUFFMAN, KILLION, KIM, KINSEY, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KORTZ,
KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, MAJOR, MARSICO, MATZIE,
McCARTER, MENTZER, MILLARD, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER,
C. PARKER, PICKETT, READSHAW, ROSS, SAINATO, SAMUELSON,
SCHLOSSBERG, SCHWEYER, SONNEY, STURLA, THOMAS, VEREB, WATSON
AND WHEELAND, FEBRUARY 12, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 21, 2015, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in
approximately one in every 800 births; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 400,000 people of various
ethnic, religious and socioeconomic groups with Down syndrome
living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The most common form of Down syndrome, trisomy 21,
is due to an error in cell division, just prior to or during
conception, with the 21st chromosome dividing in three instead
of two, resulting in an individual being born with 47 instead of
46 chromosomes in each cell; and
WHEREAS, While people with Down syndrome are at a higher risk
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for various conditions, such as congenital heart defects,
respiratory problems and thyroid issues, advances in treatments
enable them to lead healthy lives; and
WHEREAS, Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has
increased from 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years of age today;
and
WHEREAS, Early intervention, appropriate speech, physical and
occupational therapies and quality education programs enable
people with Down syndrome to adapt and thrive; and
WHEREAS, The date for World Down Syndrome Day, the 21st day
of the third month of the year, was selected to signify the
uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize March
21, 2015, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania,
recognizing the positive contributions that people with Down
syndrome and their families make to our communities in
Pennsylvania, the United States and across the globe.
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