PRINTER'S NO. 2491
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
497
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BIZZARRO, CALTAGIRONE, HENNESSEY, MILLARD,
SCHLOSSBERG, KORTZ, HILL-EVANS, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DiGIROLAMO,
MERSKI, McNEILL, MURT, BURNS, MALAGARI, YOUNGBLOOD, HEFFLEY,
SNYDER, T. DAVIS, MADDEN, KIM, READSHAW AND HOWARD,
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing dwarfism with the hope of raising positive awareness
about dwarfism and promoting the welfare of people having
dwarfism in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Dwarfism is a rare medical condition, with an
estimated 30,000 people in the United States and more than
650,000 people worldwide having some type of dwarfism; and
WHEREAS, Dwarfism affects bone growth but generally does not
affect cognitive abilities; and
WHEREAS, Dwarfism is a recognized condition under the
Americans with Disabilities Act; and
WHEREAS, While the medical prognosis for people having
dwarfism is highly individualized, the majority of people having
dwarfism enjoy normal life spans and reasonably good health; and
WHEREAS, Some people having dwarfism will require surgeries
or other medical interventions to address complications and
maximize mobility; and
WHEREAS, The preferred terminology for people having dwarfism
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includes "persons of short stature," "persons having dwarfism"
or "little persons"; and
WHEREAS, "Midget," an antiquated term, may offend people
having dwarfism; and
WHEREAS, People having dwarfism can turn to support
organizations such as Little People of America, Inc. (LPA) for
guidance on parenting, adoption, education, medical
consultation, physical fitness, peer support, community outreach
and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, As the oldest and largest support organization for
people having dwarfism in the United States, LPA is dedicated to
improving the quality of life for people having dwarfism while
celebrating with great pride their contributions to social
diversity; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
dwarfism with the hope of raising positive awareness about
dwarfism and promoting the welfare of people having dwarfism in
this Commonwealth.
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