CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35Introduced by Senator GraysonMarch 06, 2025 Relative to California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSCR 35, as introduced, Grayson. California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day.This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness 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 1 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; and WHEREAS, The inherent dignity, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome 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 Buddy Walk program of the National Down Syndrome Society 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; and WHEREAS, The 21st day of the third month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That March 2025 is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, 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 furtherResolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35Introduced by Senator GraysonMarch 06, 2025 Relative to California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSCR 35, as introduced, Grayson. California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day.This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities. Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 35
Introduced by Senator GraysonMarch 06, 2025
Introduced by Senator Grayson
March 06, 2025
Relative to California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 35, as introduced, Grayson. California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and California Down Syndrome Awareness Day.
This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and would encourage all Californians to support and participate in related activities.
This measure would proclaim the month of March 2025 as California Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The measure would also proclaim March 21, 2025, as California Down Syndrome Awareness 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 1 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, worth, and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome 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 Buddy Walk program of the National Down Syndrome Society 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, which causes Down syndrome; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That March 2025 is proclaimed California Down Syndrome Awareness Month, 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 Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.