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A RESOLUTION recognizing April 2, 2023, as World Autism Awareness Day and 1
April 2023 as Autism Acceptance Month. 2
WHEREAS, autism disorders affect persons regardless of race, religion, 3
socioeconomic status, or geography; and 4
WHEREAS, autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the United 5
States, with 1 in 36 children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; and 6
WHEREAS, there are over 5 million people in the United States with autism and, as 7
of 2019, over 80,000 Kentuckians diagnosed with autism; and 8
WHEREAS, autism disorders are lifelong conditions that require support, training, 9
assistance, and advocacy on behalf of those individuals who suffer from such disorders; 10
and 11
WHEREAS, in 1972, the Autism Society, the nation's oldest grassroots autism 12
organization, launched National Autistic Children's week, which grew into Autism 13
Awareness Month; and 14
WHEREAS, on December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted 15
a resolution declaring World Autism Awareness Day by unanimous consent, encouraging 16
United Nations member states to take measures to raise awareness about autism disorders 17
throughout society and to promote early diagnosis and early behavioral intervention; and 18
WHEREAS, the aims for World Autism Awareness Day are to inform the general 19
public about the global health crisis of autism disorders, stress the importance of early 20
diagnosis and early intervention, and celebrate the unique talents and qualities of 21
individuals with autism disorders; and 22
WHEREAS, April is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month to increase 23
awareness about autism signs and symptoms and promote acceptance of individuals with 24
autism; and 25
WHEREAS, during April 2023, the aim of Autism Acceptance Month is to 26
celebrate differences and build an inclusive society for individuals with autism to live 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1849
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fully through connection and acceptance; 1
NOW, THEREFORE, 2
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 3
Commonwealth of Kentucky: 4
Section 1. The members of the House of Representatives, both individually and 5
collectively, hereby recognize April 2, 2023, as World Autism Awareness Day and April 6
2023 as Autism Acceptance Month. 7
Section 2. The House of Repres entatives urges the citizens of the 8
Commonwealth of Kentucky to become informed of the need for services, support, and 9
treatments for individuals with autism disorders. 10
Section 3. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a 11
copy of this Resolution to Representative Tina Bojanowski. 12