[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 503 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 503

   Designating June 2012 as ``National Aphasia Awareness Month'' and 
          supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 25, 2012

 Mr. Johnson of South Dakota (for himself and Mr. Kirk) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating 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 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and 
        Stroke (referred to in this preamble as the ``NINDS''), strokes are the 
        third-leading cause of death in the United States, ranking behind heart 
        disease and cancer;
Whereas strokes are 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 people of the United States should strive to learn more about 
        aphasia and to promote research, rehabilitation, and support services 
        for people with aphasia and aphasia caregivers throughout the United 
        States; and
Whereas people with aphasia and their caregivers envision 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 2012 as ``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 people 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>