ENROLLED 2015 Regular Session HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 47 BY REPRESENTATIVE FANNIN AND SENATORS PEACOCK AND WALSWORTH A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION To commend the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and its grassroots advocacy network, LaCAN, and to designate April 29, 2015, as Disability Rights Day in Louisiana. WHEREAS, a disability is a natural part of life and does not diminish the right of individuals with disabilities to exercise control over their lives and fully participate in their communities; and WHEREAS, children, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment; children with developmental disabilities need families and family relationships to develop to their fullest potential; and WHEREAS, adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to make decisions for themselves and to live in typical homes and communities where they can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens; and WHEREAS, almost thirteen thousand people are waiting for individual and family support and services that will allow them to live independently in their own homes or with their families rather than being segregated from their communities in facilities in order to receive support; and WHEREAS, the number of individuals with disabilities waiting for individual and family support and services continues to increase annually; and WHEREAS, LaCAN is a statewide, grassroots network of individuals, families, and other stakeholders advocating for individual and family support and services for Louisiana's citizens who are developmentally disabled; and Page 1 of 2 HCR NO. 47 ENROLLED WHEREAS, Disability Rights Day in Louisiana allows individuals with disabilities and families from across Louisiana to meet their legislators at the state capitol and educate them on the issues impacting people with disabilities, as well as to rally in support of individual and family support and services. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and its grassroots advocacy network, LaCAN, and does hereby designate April 29, 2015, as Disability Rights Day in Louisiana. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the executive director of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Page 2 of 2