PRINTER'S NO. 1192
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 193
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, PHILLIPS-HILL, BROOKS, STREET, LAUGHLIN,
ROTHMAN, HUTCHINSON, HAYWOOD, COSTA, BROWN, FONTANA,
PENNYCUICK, COLEMAN AND CULVER, OCTOBER 31, 2023
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, OCTOBER 31, 2023
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of October 2023 as "Down Syndrome
2 Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in
4 approximately 1 in every 707 births; and
5 WHEREAS, The most common form of Down syndrome, trisomy 21,
6 is due to an error in cell division just prior to or during
7 conception, with the 21st chromosome dividing in three instead
8 of two, resulting in 47 chromosomes per cell instead of 46; and
9 WHEREAS, According to the most recent estimates of the
10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were
11 more than 250,000 individuals of various ethnic, racial,
12 religious and socioeconomic groups with Down syndrome living in
13 the United States; and
14 WHEREAS, Thanks to advances in medical treatments and
15 continuing research, life expectancy for individuals with Down
16 syndrome has increased from 10 years in 1960 to nearly 60 years
17 today according to the most recent CDC estimates; and
 1 WHEREAS, When accounting for the increased life expectancies
2 and steady birth rates, while not confirmed, some reports
3 suggest that the total population of individuals living with
4 Down syndrome stands closer to the upper 300,000 figure; and
5 WHEREAS, Early intervention, appropriate speech, physical and
6 occupational therapies and quality education programs enable
7 individuals with Down syndrome to adapt and thrive; and
8 WHEREAS, With interventions, programs and the support of
9 family and community, individuals with Down syndrome attend
10 school and participate in postsecondary opportunities, with many
11 going on to college, obtaining full-time employment, entering
12 into marriage and fully participating in their communities;
13 therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of October 2023
15 as "Down Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania, recognizing
16 the positive contributions of individuals with Down syndrome and
17 their families.
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