2023 -- S 1025
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LC000873
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY AS "BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH" IN THE STATE
OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Senator Hanna M. Gallo
Date Introduced: May 18, 2023
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, People seldom talk about hearing and speech problems, but hearing, 1
language, voice, and speech disorders are serious, treatable conditions that affect an estimated 48 2
million Americans; and 3
WHEREAS, Hearing, language, and speech disorders take many forms: babies can be 4
born with these disorders, or an accidental injury or illness can cause them at any age. Whatever 5
their cause, hearing, language, and speech disorders have serious consequences; and 6
WHEREAS, Hearing, language, and speech disorders can limit academic achievement, 7
social adjustment, and career advancement; and 8
WHEREAS, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are the professionals who 9
treat all types of hearing, language, speech, and related disorders; and 10
WHEREAS, Hearing, language, speech, and related disorders make it difficult for people 11
to express themselves or to understand the spoken or written word. Anyone of any age can have a 12
communication disorder. Hearing, language, and speech disorders are everybody's problem; and 13
WHEREAS, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists work in schools, private 14
practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings. They enable and empower 15
individuals with communication disorders to lead independent, productive, and fulfilling lives; 16
now, therefore be it 17
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims May to be 18
"Better Hearing and Speech Month" in the State of Rhode Island, and urges the Department of 19
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Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and other special events to remind everyone that 1
now is the best time to listen to sound advice about hearing. We furthermore urge the Department 2
of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage teachers, hearing and speech specialists, 3
principals, supervisors, and all the citizens of this state to participate in this month-long campaign 4
acknowledging the great strides and invaluable services provided by these dedicated teachers and 5
specialists, and to raise public awareness of hearing, language, and speech disorders; and be it 6
further 7
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 8
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of 9
Human Services, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of 10
Rhode Island, and the President of the Rhode Island Speech and Language Association. 11
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LC000873
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