PRINTER'S NO. 3244
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
840
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MOUL, COHEN, HENNESSEY, DONATUCCI, WATSON,
BIZZARRO, THOMAS, VEREB, BAKER, WHEELAND, DiGIROLAMO, DUSH,
SONNEY, HARHAI, DEAN, MILLARD, SCHLOSSBERG, READSHAW,
HARHART, PICKETT, KILLION, MACKENZIE, REGAN, LONGIETTI,
TOOHIL, ROZZI, BOBACK, R. BROWN, O'NEILL, JOZWIAK, FREEMAN,
MURT, PASHINSKI, JAMES, MARSICO, KIRKLAND, ROSS, D. COSTA,
MAHONEY, NEILSON, GOODMAN, FARINA, WARD, OBERLANDER,
PHILLIPS-HILL, EVERETT, KINSEY, MILNE, KAVULICH, MAJOR,
GILLEN, CALTAGIRONE, YOUNGBLOOD AND MCCLINTON, APRIL 29, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 29, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 15 through June 15, 2016, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 3 out of every 1,000 children 6 through
17 years of age in the United States are diagnosed with Tourette
syndrome, a neurobiological, genetic condition that has no cure;
and
WHEREAS, Tourette syndrome is a lifelong developmental
disability that begins before a child reaches 18 years of age
and affects children and adults of all races and ethnicities;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are affected by
"tics," which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or
vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome face periodic
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changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these
symptoms wax and wane and change without forewarning; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome frequently have
co-occurring conditions that further complicate their care and
diagnosis, including attention deficit disorder, attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
mood disorders, learning disabilities, handwriting difficulties,
executive function disorder and sensory processing disorder; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are frequently
misunderstood by their families, educators, communities and even
by medical professionals due to their ever-changing symptoms,
which at times seem controllable; and
WHEREAS, Tourette syndrome has historically been
misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional
disturbance instead of a condition of chemical biology; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are often teased
and not accepted by their peers and by the general public; and
WHEREAS, Children with Tourette syndrome are often
disciplined for manifestations of their disability by educators;
and
WHEREAS, Educators may fail to understand that a child is
unable to control tics and that a child's maturity and emotional
responses may be delayed; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome face
discrimination from educators, friends, family, employers,
coworkers and the judicial system while dealing with their
unpredictable disorder and uncertain future; and
WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with
Disabilities Act to disregard disability when hiring or
promoting individuals and to make reasonable accommodations to
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support their employees with Tourette syndrome so that their
employees can be successful in the workplace and not be forced
to file for disability; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are often very
intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
given the proper support; and
WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, however,
many employers often neglect to hire, promote and make
accommodations for individuals with Tourette syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
has been established to promote awareness and provide support
and disability advocacy for individuals with Tourette syndrome
in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Understanding this disorder helps guarantee hope for
acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette
syndrome; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May 15
through June 15, 2016, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge all residents to support the need for
Tourette syndrome awareness and education in order to assist
individuals and families who deal with this neurobiological
disorder every day of their lives.
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