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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 488 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3044
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James K. Hawkins
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act making October 25th Dwarfism awareness day in the Commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol1/13/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 488 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3044
By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3044) of
James K. Hawkins relative to making October 25th Dwarfism awareness day in the
Commonwealth. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3160 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act making October 25th Dwarfism awareness day in the Commonwealth.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to
establish forthwith October 25 as Dwarfism Awareness Day, therefore it is hereby declared to be
an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Whereas: The Little People of America was founded in 1957 by Billy Barty, an actor and
2little person in the filming industry, who started the organization in Nevada, and from there on
3we have become a big group.
4 Whereas: There are over 30,000 of us with dwarfism. We meet in our district groups
5during the fall and spring, there are 13 districts in the United States. Then for the summer, we
6meet nationally in a different state each year. 2 of 2
7 Whereas: Members of the Little People of America and people with dwarfism have been
8subjected to some uncomfortable situations, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts feels that with
9a better understanding of little people or someone of short stature, we seek to make a difference
10in the life of someone with dwarfism.
11 Whereas: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wishes for people to understand that
12people with dwarfism are the same as an average-height person but have to navigate the world a
13little differently. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wishes for everyone that is different to be
14afforded the same respect.
15 Whereas: The Little People of America is working towards having October 25th become
16National Dwarfism Awareness Day.
17 Therefore: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially declares October 25th
18Dwarfism Awareness Day and recognizes it as such.