[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 285 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 285

 Expressing support for designation of June 2011 as ``National Aphasia 
   Awareness Month'' and supporting efforts to increase awareness of 
                                aphasia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 26, 2011

    Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Doyle) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for designation of June 2011 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 aphasia 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 
        (NINDS), stroke is the third 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 approximately 5,000,000 stroke 
        survivors in the United States;
Whereas the NINDS estimates that people in the United States suffer 
        approximately 750,000 strokes per year, with about \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 aphasia each year;
Whereas the National Aphasia Association is a unique organization that strives 
        to promote public education, research, rehabilitation, and support 
        services for the general public, people with aphasia, and aphasia 
        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 the ``silent'' disability of aphasia and provides opportunity 
        and fulfillment for people affected by aphasia; and
Whereas June 2011 would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National 
        Aphasia Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Aphasia 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) supports efforts to increase awareness of aphasia;
            (3) recognizes that strokes, a primary cause of aphasia, 
        are the third largest cause of death and disability in the 
        United States;
            (4) acknowledges that aphasia deserves more attention and 
        study to find new solutions for 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>