Bill Text: PA HR144 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating March 21, 2011, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-05 - Adopted (198-0) [HR144 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR144-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1221
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 144 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY D. COSTA, O'NEILL, BEAR, BISHOP, BOBACK, K. BOYLE, BRADFORD, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, CUTLER, DEASY, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GRELL, HARHAI, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, KAVULICH, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MALONEY, MANN, MARSICO, MICOZZIE, MOUL, D. O'BRIEN, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PAYTON, PEIFER, QUINN, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, ROSS, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SONNEY, STABACK, STERN, SWANGER, THOMAS, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, GIBBONS, DONATUCCI, SCHRODER, REICHLEY, HESS, DeLUCA, MARSHALL, HORNAMAN, GOODMAN AND MIRABITO, MARCH 21, 2011
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 21, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 21, 2011, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in
approximately one in every 800 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's being born with 47 instead of 46
chromosomes in each cell; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 400,000 people of various
ethnic, racial, religious and socioeconomic groups with Down
syndrome living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, While people with Down syndrome are at a higher risk
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for various conditions, such as congenital heart defects,
respiratory problems and thyroid issues, advances in treatments
enable them to lead healthy lives; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to these medical treatments and continuing
research, life expectancy for people 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
people with Down syndrome to adapt and thrive; and
WHEREAS, With such programs and the support of their families
and communities, people with Down syndrome attend school,
participate in postsecondary opportunities, with many going on
to college, obtain full-time employment, enter into marriage and
fully participate in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Noting the significance of the triplication of the
21st chromosome, Down Syndrome International has chosen the 21st
day of the third month of the year, or March 21, 2011, as "World
Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania in order to raise public
awareness of people with Down syndrome and to recognize their
dignity, rights and well-being; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
21, 2011, as "World Down Syndrome Day" in Pennsylvania,
recognizing the positive contributions that people with Down
syndrome and their families make to our communities in
Pennsylvania, the United States and across the globe.
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