[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 523 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 523

   Encouraging recognition, and supporting the goals and ideals, of 
                   National Aphasia Awareness Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 27, 2007

 Mr. Markey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Encouraging recognition, and supporting the goals and ideals, of 
                   National Aphasia Awareness Month.

Whereas aphasia is a communication impairment caused by brain damage, typically 
        resulting from a stroke;
Whereas while aphasia is most often the result of stroke or brain injury, it can 
        also occur in other neurological disorders, such as in the case of a 
        brain tumor;
Whereas many people with aphasia also have weakness or paralysis in their right 
        leg and right arm, usually due to damage to the left hemisphere of the 
        brain, which controls language and movement on the right side of the 
        body;
Whereas the effects of aphasia may include a loss or reduction in ability to 
        speak, comprehend, read, and write, while intelligence remains intact;
Whereas stroke is the third largest cause of death, ranking behind heart disease 
        and cancer;
Whereas stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United 
        States;
Whereas there are about 5 million stroke survivors alive in the United States;
Whereas it is estimated that there are about 750,000 strokes per year in the 
        United States, with approximately one third of these resulting in 
        aphasia;
Whereas aphasia affects at least 1,000,000 people in the United States;
Whereas more than 200,000 Americans acquire the disorder each year;
Whereas the National Aphasia Association is unique and provides communication 
        strategies, support, and education for people with aphasia and their 
        caregivers throughout the United States;
Whereas as an advocacy organization for people with aphasia and their 
        caregivers, the National Aphasia Association envisions a world that 
        recognizes this ``silent'' disability and provides opportunity and 
        fulfillment for those affected by aphasia; and
Whereas National Aphasia Awareness Month is being commemorated in June 2007: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of, and encourages all 
        Americans to observe, National Aphasia Awareness Month;
            (2) recognizes that strokes, a primary cause of aphasia, 
        are the third largest cause of death and disability in the 
        United States;
            (3) acknowledges that aphasia deserves more attention and 
        study in order to find new solutions for individuals 
        experiencing aphasia and their caregivers; and
            (4) must make the voices of those with aphasia heard 
        because they are often unable to communicate their condition to 
        others.
                                 <all>