PRINTER'S NO. 616
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
61
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY STEFANO, MARCH 28, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 28, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of March 2017 as "Spread the Word to End
the Word Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities have unique gifts and talents to share with their
families, friends and communities; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities enjoy sharing life experiences, including listening
to music, playing video games, watching the latest movies and
having fun, as well as working together toward athletic
excellence, mutually enriching one-to-one friendships and
contributing to society in many ways; and
WHEREAS, As much as 3% of the world's population, 200 million
people, have intellectual disabilities, the largest disability
population in the world; and
WHEREAS, The demeaning use of the words "retard" or
"retarded," also known as the "R-words," are common taunts or
may often unwittingly be used to denote behavior that is clumsy,
hapless and even hopeless, whether intentional or not; and
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