[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S3691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 83--DESIGNATING MARCH 25, 2009, AS ``NATIONAL 
                     CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 83

       Whereas the term ``cerebral palsy'' refers to any number of 
     neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early 
     childhood and permanently affect body movement and the muscle 
     coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture;
       Whereas cerebral palsy is caused by damage to 1 or more 
     specific areas of the brain, which usually occurs during 
     fetal development, before, during, or shortly after birth, or 
     during infancy;
       Whereas the majority of children who have cerebral palsy 
     are born with the disorder, although cerebral palsy may 
     remain undetected for months or years;
       Whereas 75 percent of people with cerebral palsy also have 
     1 or more developmental disabilities, including epilepsy, 
     intellectual disability, autism, visual impairments, and 
     blindness;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     recently released information indicating that cerebral palsy 
     is increasingly prevalent and that about 1 in 278 children 
     have cerebral palsy;
       Whereas approximately 800,000 people in the United States 
     are affected by cerebral palsy;
       Whereas, although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, 
     treatment often improves the capabilities of a child with 
     cerebral palsy;
       Whereas scientists and researchers are hopeful that 
     breakthroughs in cerebral palsy research will be forthcoming;
       Whereas researchers across the United States are conducting 
     important research projects involving cerebral palsy; and
       Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise 
     awareness in the general public and the medical community of 
     cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 25, 2009, as ``National Cerebral Palsy 
     Awareness Day'';
       (2) encourages all people in the United States to become 
     more informed and aware of cerebral palsy; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to Reaching for the Stars: 
     A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

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