[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 566 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 566

   Designating June 2008 as ``National Aphasia Awareness Month'' and 
          supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 14, 2008

 Mr. Johnson submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating June 2008 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; and
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: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of, and encourages all 
        Americans to observe, National Aphasia Awareness Month in June 
        2008;
            (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.
                                 <all>