SLS 201ES-255 ORIGINAL
2020 First Extraordinary Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 23
BY SENATOR FOIL
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH. Declares April 2
nd
as World Autism Day in Louisiana,
annually.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To declare April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in Louisiana, annually.
3 WHEREAS, World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day
4 proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to be April 2nd each year, beginning
5 in 2008, having been adopted in December 2007; and
6 WHEREAS, this is a tribute to the millions of Americans living with autism
7 spectrum disorder, or ASD, in recognition of the numerous triumphs over many and varied
8 obstacles which are a testament to the strength and resolve of those diagnosed with the
9 disorder, their supportive families, their millions of caretakers, and those who offer
10 unwavering support and encouragement; and
11 WHEREAS, those millions of Americans diagnosed with a condition that places
12 them on the autism spectrum, a neurological and developmental disorder that affects
13 communication and behavior, have benefitted from ongoing research, both neurological and
14 behavioral which have developed healthy interactive behaviors, helping those affected to
15 understand both verbal and nonverbal communication; and
16 WHEREAS, autism is an urgent public health crisis that demands support from all
17 levels of government; and
18 WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in
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SLS 201ES-255 ORIGINAL
1 fifty-nine school-aged children identify on the autism spectrum, therefore, the nation cannot
2 waiver from its course of committing to ensuring that people living with autism have access
3 to the lifelong care and services needed to pursue their full potential and happiness; and
4 WHEREAS, with so many school-aged children being identified as having ASD,
5 over five hundred thousand young people will become adults with autism in the next few
6 years, and both the nation and individual states and localities must stand ready to assist these
7 young people in successfully transitioning to rewarding careers and fulfilling adult lives; and
8 WHEREAS, the recently reenacted Autism CARES Act is federal legislation
9 approving a five-year allocation to research for developing new treatments and therapies and
10 to enhance services for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder throughout their lives, an
11 ongoing commitment to these citizens; and
12 WHEREAS, the legislation also expanded the Interagency Autism Coordinating
13 Committee to include representatives from seventeen federal agencies and stakeholders from
14 the autism community, and the enhanced public-private partnerships made possible by these
15 efforts continue to provide support to those with autism and represents that continuing
16 commitment to these citizens; and
17 WHEREAS, through the federal Department of Labor's Youth Policy Development
18 Center and the Apprenticeship Inclusion Model initiative, the nation is providing expanding
19 opportunities for Americans with ASD to develop high-demand skills that pair with
20 good-paying jobs in order to guarantee a successful path to economic security through
21 adulthood for those with ASD; and
22 WHEREAS, Louisiana stands with the national and international ASD communities,
23 particularly by way of joining in this international recognition, to uphold our resolve to work
24 to promote more meaningful connections of respect and to build a society where everyone
25 has the opportunity to succeed, offering the promise of a chance to succeed independently.
26 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
27 declare April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in Louisiana, annually.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
29 to Autism Society Louisiana State Chapter, Inc. (LSAC).
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SLS 201ES-255 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien.
DIGEST
SCR 23 Original 2020 First Extraordinary Session Foil
Declares April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in Louisiana, annually.
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