[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 765 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 765

Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies 
to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that 
must be addressed, and designating October 2020 as ``National Dyslexia 
                           Awareness Month''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             October 26 (legislative day, October 19), 2020

    Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Ms. Warren, Mr. Murphy, Mr. King, Mr. 
Boozman, and Mrs. Capito) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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                               RESOLUTION


 
Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies 
to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that 
must be addressed, and designating October 2020 as ``National Dyslexia 
                           Awareness Month''.

Whereas dyslexia is--

    (1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual 
who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and

    (2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing 
(the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which 
affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, spell, and, often, the 
ability to learn a second language;

Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-391) included a definition of 
        dyslexia as part of the requirement of the Act to screen inmates for 
        dyslexia upon intake in Federal prisons;
Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, United States 
        Code, as added by section 101(a) of the First Step Act of 2018, is the 
        first and only definition of dyslexia in a Federal statute;
Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 
        percent of all individuals with a learning disability;
Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out 
        of every 5 individuals;
Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dyslexia may have 
        both--

    (1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties with accurate or 
fluent word recognition; and

    (2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, 
critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;

Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific 
        level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological 
        bases of dyslexia;
Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs 
        as early as first grade; and
Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for 
        ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based 
        intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-
        awareness and self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary 
        accommodations that ensure success in school and in life: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and local 
        educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant 
        educational implications that must be addressed; and
            (2) designates October 2020 as ``National Dyslexia 
        Awareness Month''.
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