PRINTER'S NO. 1620
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
307
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY MOUL, CHARLTON, MACKENZIE, PICKETT, BAKER,
QUIGLEY, READSHAW, FREEMAN, BURNS, KINSEY, WARD, DEAN,
BIZZARRO, TOOHIL, DiGIROLAMO, STAATS, DUSH, SONNEY, BOBACK,
R. BROWN, RYAN, LONGIETTI, HILL-EVANS, MURT, CALTAGIRONE,
WATSON, MILLARD, O'NEILL, NEILSON, GROVE, STURLA, GOODMAN,
PHILLIPS-HILL, EVERETT, MILNE, MARSICO AND WHEELAND,
MAY 2, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 2, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2017, 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 and this Commonwealth 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
changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these
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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 and communities; and
WHEREAS, Treatment by medical professionals is challenging as
symptoms change frequently, preventing an understanding of this
complex syndrome; 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, Educators may discipline children with Tourette
syndrome for manifestations of their disability; and
WHEREAS, Educators may fail to understand that a child with
Tourette syndrome is unable to control tics and that the child's
maturity and emotional responses may be delayed; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome may 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
support their employees with Tourette syndrome so that the
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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 the success of employees
with Tourette syndrome, but many employers 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 individuals with Tourette
syndrome; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May 15
through June 15, 2017, as "Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge all residents to support the need for
Tourette syndrome awareness and education to assist individuals
and families who deal with this neurobiological disorder every
day of their lives.
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