IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 674 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 5, 2012 Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Gingrey of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of June 2012 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, ranking behind heart disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory disease; Whereas stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States; Whereas the National Stroke Association estimates that there are approximately 7,000,000 stroke survivors in the United States; Whereas the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (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 2012 would be an appropriate month to designate as National Aphasia Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

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 fourth largest cause of death 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.