PRINTER'S NO. 1279
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
247
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, AUMENT, MENSCH, ARGALL, BROWNE,
LANGERHOLC, DiSANTO, PHILLIPS-HILL, BAKER, KILLION,
BARTOLOTTA, MASTRIANO, PITTMAN, J. WARD, DINNIMAN, SCHWANK,
BREWSTER, BLAKE, TARTAGLIONE AND FONTANA, OCTOBER 21, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 21, 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 1 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 a person 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, Thanks to advances in 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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
occupational therapies and quality education programs enable
individuals with Down syndrome to adapt and thrive; and
WHEREAS, With interventions and programs and the support of
family and community, individuals with Down syndrome attend
school and participate in postsecondary opportunities, with many
going on to college, obtaining full-time employment, entering
into marriage and fully participating in their communities;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 2019
as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania, recognizing
the positive contributions that individuals with Down syndrome
and their families make to our communities in the nation and in
this Commonwealth.
20190SR0247PN1279 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13