III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 524 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 13, 2010 Mr. Kaufman (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Burris, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Casey, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Gregg, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Isakson, Mr. LeMieux, Mr. Levin, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr. Risch, Mr. Sessions, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Tester, Mr. Warner, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Stuttering Awareness Week 2010.

Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 Americans are affected by stuttering; Whereas stuttering is a communication disorder experienced by children and adults alike; Whereas individuals who stutter frequently experience embarrassment, anxiety about speaking, and physical tension in their speech muscles; Whereas many different types of stuttering exist, and the symptoms of stuttering can range from mild to severe; Whereas the cause of stuttering is unknown, but research suggests stuttering may be genetic; Whereas stuttering commonly begins in children between the ages of 2 and 5; Whereas parents are encouraged to consult with pediatricians or qualified speech-language pathologists as soon as stuttering becomes apparent in a child in order to take advantage of early-intervention therapies; Whereas it is known that stuttering is not— (1)a nervous disorder; (2)the result of emotional problems; or (3)the fault of the individual who stutters or the family of that individual; Whereas a 2009 survey by the National Stuttering Association found that— (1)40 percent of adults and teenagers who stutter feel that they have been denied a job, a promotion, or a school opportunity as a result of stuttering; and (2)8 out of 10 children who stutter report being bullied or teased; Whereas many individuals who stutter do not have access to qualified speech-language pathologists or helpful resources; Whereas several treatments for stuttering exist that can help individuals who stutter learn to speak more easily and gain confidence in themselves and their ability to communicate effectively; Whereas organizations like the National Stuttering Association have been working for many years to raise awareness about stuttering, the effect stuttering has on the lives of individuals who stutter, available treatment options, and research being conducted to investigate the causes of stuttering; Whereas, on April 13, 1988, the President of the United States signed a proclamation designating the week of May 9 through 16 of that year as National Stuttering Awareness Week; Whereas since 1988, individuals who stutter and the families and friends those individuals, as well as medical practitioners, speech language pathologists, researchers, and others have marked the second week of May as National Stuttering Awareness Week; and Whereas the goals of the National Stuttering Awareness Week 2010 include increasing awareness among the people of the United States about stuttering and educating the people of the United States about ways to improve the lives of those who stutter: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Stuttering Awareness Week 2010; and (2)encourages all of the people of the United States to learn more about stuttering and ways to help individuals who stutter feel more confident and comfortable speaking with others.