[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S4186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 566--DESIGNATING JUNE 2008 AS ``NATIONAL APHASIA 
   AWARENESS MONTH'' AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF 
                                APHASIA

  Mr. JOHNSON submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 566

       Whereas aphasia is a communication impairment caused by 
     brain damage, typically resulting from a stroke;
       Whereas, while aphasia is most often the result of stroke 
     or brain injury, it can also occur with other neurological 
     disorders, such as in the case of a brain tumor;
       Whereas many people with aphasia also have weakness or 
     paralysis in their 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 or 
     reduction in ability to speak, comprehend, read, and write, 
     while intelligence remains intact;
       Whereas stroke is the 3rd 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 there are about 5,000,000 stroke survivors in the 
     United States;
       Whereas it is estimated that there are about 750,000 
     strokes per year in the United States, with approximately \1/
     3\ of these resulting in aphasia;
       Whereas aphasia affects at least 1,000,000 people in the 
     United States;
       Whereas more than 200,000 Americans acquire the disorder 
     each year;
       Whereas the National Aphasia Association is unique and 
     provides communication strategies, support, and education for 
     people with aphasia and their caregivers throughout the 
     United States; and
       Whereas as an advocacy organization for people with aphasia 
     and their caregivers, the National Aphasia Association 
     envisions a world that recognizes this ``silent'' disability 
     and provides opportunity and fulfillment for those affected 
     by aphasia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of, and encourages all 
     Americans to observe, National Aphasia Awareness Month in 
     June 2008;
       (2) recognizes that strokes, a primary cause of aphasia, 
     are the third largest cause of death and disability in the 
     United States;
       (3) acknowledges that aphasia deserves more attention and 
     study in order to find new solutions for serving individuals 
     experiencing aphasia and their caregivers; and
       (4) must make the voices of those with aphasia heard 
     because they are often unable to communicate their condition 
     to others.

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