[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 791 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 791

 Expressing support for the designation of October 2023 as ``National 
                    Down Syndrome Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 17, 2023

Mr. Garbarino (for himself, Mr. Soto, Ms. Norton, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and 
             Mr. Bacon) submitted the following resolution

                            October 25, 2023

            Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of October 2023 as ``National 
                    Down Syndrome Awareness Month''.

Whereas 1 in 700, or around 6,000, babies are born with Down syndrome in the 
        United States every year, and each person with Down syndrome is an 
        important member of our society;
Whereas life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically 
        in recent decades, from 25 years of age in 1983, to 60 years of age in 
        2023;
Whereas people with Down syndrome attend school and work, participate in 
        decisions that affect their livelihood, have meaningful relationships, 
        vote, and contribute to society in many ways;
Whereas recent studies have shown that employees with disabilities, including 
        Down syndrome, are loyal, dedicated, and productive workers;
Whereas, along with the care from their families, loved ones, and caregivers, 
        research and advocacy for positive policy changes can improve the 
        quality of life for members of the Down syndrome community;
Whereas, since 1984, Congress has been committed to increasing Federal funding 
        for Down syndrome research and improving the quality of life for people 
        with Down syndrome and their families;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health reports that Federal investment in 
        Down syndrome research has increased from $18,000,000 in fiscal year 
        2014 to $124,000,000 in fiscal year 2022;
Whereas, in unison with increased funding from Congress, the National Institutes 
        of Health has redoubled its effort in biomedical and Down syndrome 
        research, especially through the INCLUDE initiative, which is advancing 
        science on the underlying cause of Alzheimer's disease among people with 
        Down syndrome;
Whereas organizations in the nonprofit sector continue to advocate for Federal 
        research, drive policy changes, educate the American public, create 
        guidebooks for caregivers, and offer platforms to self-advocates who 
        want to share their personal experiences with others about Down 
        syndrome; and
Whereas people with Down syndrome, their families, Congress, and advocates 
        remain focused on developing policies to ensure people with Down 
        syndrome have every opportunity to live full and productive lives: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``National 
        Down Syndrome Awareness Month'';
            (2) believes ``National Down Syndrome Awareness Month'' is 
        an opportunity to celebrate people with Down syndrome and their 
        families as they continue to advocate for access and 
        opportunity to live fully included lives;
            (3) commends people with Down syndrome, their families, 
        medical researchers, doctors, scientists, and organizations who 
        are the driving force behind improving the quality of life for 
        people with Down syndrome; and
            (4) reiterates its commitment to ensuring Federal 
        investment into Down syndrome research and pursuing policies to 
        better support the Down syndrome community.
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