PRINTER'S NO. 2652
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
556
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY HEFFLEY, MOUL, HENNESSEY, SONNEY, BURNS, BIZZARRO,
TURZAI, LONGIETTI, RYAN, MACKENZIE, KORTZ, SCHLEGEL CULVER,
KAUFFMAN, DIAMOND, PICKETT, THOMAS, MERSKI, FREEMAN, MILLARD,
HICKERNELL, SAMUELSON, HILL-EVANS, READSHAW, KNOWLES, BARRAR,
STAATS, BROWN, OBERLANDER, SCHLOSSBERG, DiGIROLAMO,
CALTAGIRONE, BERNSTINE, JONES, MARSHALL, CIRESI, ZIMMERMAN,
MURT AND SCHWEYER, OCTOBER 11, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, OCTOBER 11, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2019 as "Down Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in
approximately one in every 700 births; 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, There are more than 400,000 individuals of various
ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic groups with Down
syndrome living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, While individuals with Down syndrome are at a higher
risk for various conditions such as congenital heart defects,
respiratory problems and thyroid issues, advances in medical
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
treatments enable them to lead healthy lives; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to these medical treatments and continuing
research, life expectancy for individuals 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
individuals with Down syndrome to adapt and thrive; and
WHEREAS, With such programs and the support of their families
and communities, individuals with Down syndrome attend school
and participate in postsecondary opportunities, with many
individuals with Down syndrome going on to college, obtaining
full-time employment, entering into marriage and fully
participating in their communities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of October 2019 as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
positive contributions that individuals with Down syndrome and
their families make to our communities in this nation and
throughout this Commonwealth.
20190HR0556PN2652 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21