[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 172 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 172

   Designating June 2009 as ``National Aphasia Awareness Month'' and 
          supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 8, 2009

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating June 2009 as ``National Aphasia Awareness Month'' and 
          supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia.

Whereas aphasia is a communication impairment caused by brain damage that 
        typically results 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 a brain tumor;
Whereas many people with aphasia also have weakness or paralysis in the 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 of or reduction in the ability 
        to speak, comprehend, read, and write, but the intelligence of a person 
        with aphasia remains intact;
Whereas, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and 
        Stroke (referred to in this resolution as the ``NINDS''), 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 the NINDS estimates that there are about 5,000,000 stroke survivors in 
        the United States;
Whereas the NINDS estimates that people in the United States suffer about 
        750,000 strokes per year, with approximately \1/3\ of the strokes 
        resulting in aphasia;
Whereas, according to the NINDS, aphasia affects at least 1,000,000 people in 
        the United States;
Whereas the NINDS estimates that more than 200,000 people in the United States 
        acquire the disorder each year;
Whereas the National Aphasia Association is a unique organization that 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 the ``silent'' disability of aphasia and provides opportunity 
        and fulfillment for people affected by aphasia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates June 2009 as ``National Aphasia Awareness 
        Month'';
            (2) supports efforts to increase awareness of aphasia;
            (3) recognizes that strokes, a primary cause of aphasia, 
        are the 3rd-largest cause of death and disability in the United 
        States;
            (4) acknowledges that aphasia deserves more attention and 
        study in order to find new solutions for serving individuals 
        experiencing aphasia and their caregivers;
            (5) supports efforts to make the voices of people with 
        aphasia heard, because people with aphasia are often unable to 
        communicate with others; and
            (6) encourages all people in the United States to observe 
        National Aphasia Awareness Month with appropriate events and 
        activities.
                                 <all>