CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 41Introduced by Assembly Member PattersonFebruary 24, 2025 Relative to Down syndrome awareness. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 41, as introduced, Patterson. California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and Day.This measure would proclaim the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in one out of every 700 to 1,000 births; andWHEREAS, Down syndrome affects all races and ethnicities; andWHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome; andWHEREAS, Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development and is the most common cause of intellectual disabilities; andWHEREAS, Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems; andWHEREAS, Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs, and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome; andWHEREAS, The inherent dignity and worth of persons with Down syndrome, their valuable contributions as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized; andWHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways; andWHEREAS, This inclusiveness facilitates the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in society and helps them fulfill their personal potential; andWHEREAS, The National Buddy Walk Program helps raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families, and the Special Olympics raises awareness and allows individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success; andWHEREAS, In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; andWHEREAS, The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Week, and March 21, 2025, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Day; and be it furtherResolved, That all Californians are encouraged to support and participate in related activities; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 41Introduced by Assembly Member PattersonFebruary 24, 2025 Relative to Down syndrome awareness. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 41, as introduced, Patterson. California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and Day.This measure would proclaim the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 41
Introduced by Assembly Member PattersonFebruary 24, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Patterson
February 24, 2025
Relative to Down syndrome awareness.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 41, as introduced, Patterson. California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and Day.
This measure would proclaim the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.
This measure would proclaim the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Week and March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in one out of every 700 to 1,000 births; and
WHEREAS, Down syndrome affects all races and ethnicities; and
WHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Down syndrome causes delays in physical and intellectual development and is the most common cause of intellectual disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Down syndrome can also cause additional medical problems, including, but not limited to, heart defects, hearing problems, vision impairment, upper respiratory infections, and intestinal and thyroid problems; and
WHEREAS, Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs, and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The inherent dignity and worth of persons with Down syndrome, their valuable contributions as promoters of well-being and diversity of their communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices, should be recognized; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways; and
WHEREAS, This inclusiveness facilitates the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in society and helps them fulfill their personal potential; and
WHEREAS, The National Buddy Walk Program helps raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families, and the Special Olympics raises awareness and allows individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2012, and invited all to observe World Down Syndrome Day in order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of March 16, 2025, to March 22, 2025, inclusive, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Week, and March 21, 2025, is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Day; and be it further
Resolved, That all Californians are encouraged to support and participate in related activities; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.