III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 256 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 26, 2007 Mr. Biden (for himself and Mr. Johnson) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating June 2007 as National Aphasia Awareness Month and supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia.

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 with 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 3rd leading cause of death in the United States, 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 5,000,000 stroke survivors in the United States; Whereas it is estimated that there are about 750,000 strokes per year in the United States, with approximately 1/3 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 commemorated in June 2007: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the goals and ideals of, and encourages all Americans to observe, National Aphasia Awareness Month in June 2007; (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 serving 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.