[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3683-S3684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     STUTTERING AWARENESS WEEK 2010

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to mark National Stuttering 
Awareness Week.
  Most of us take for granted the ability to speak comfortably and 
fluently. All we have to do is think of words, and they come out 
clearly. Introducing ourselves in meetings, holding conversations over 
the phone, ordering meals in restaurants--all of these are situations 
avoided by many people who stutter as a result of being self-conscious.
  Approximately 3 million Americans stutter. Since President Ronald 
Reagan's proclamation in 1988, the second week in May has been observed 
as National Stuttering Awareness Week. It provides an opportunity for 
all of us--for all of us--to learn more about stuttering and ways to 
help those who stutter.
  We have all encountered people who stutter. Contrary to popular 
misconception, stuttering is not a result of nervousness or emotional 
problems. It is not the fault of those who do it or of their families 
and friends. Stuttering is a speech disorder that is neurological and 
physiological. The cause to this day remains unknown, but a recent 
study indicates the likelihood that stuttering may be genetic.
  While there is currently no cure, there are many treatment options 
available. Children usually begin stuttering between the ages of 2 and 
5, and parents should not wait to seek treatment from a doctor or 
speech language pathologist. Early therapies have been shown to help 
reduce stuttering.
  Those who continue to stutter in adulthood often face social and 
economic difficulties. Unfortunately, according to a 2009 study by the 
National Stuttering Association, 40 percent--40 percent--of adults and 
teenagers who stutter said they were denied a job or denied a promotion 
or denied a school opportunity as a result. Furthermore, 8 out of 10 
children who stutter have reported being bullied and teased.
  I am not just speaking about stuttering today because it is an 
important issue for so many Americans, and I am not just speaking about 
it because my friend and predecessor, Joe Biden, the Vice President, 
has shared his story--his incredible story--of overcoming stuttering. 
This is a personal issue for me because stuttering runs in my wife's 
family, and I have been around people who stutter for many years.
  When my wife Lynne was a child, her parents took her to a therapist 
for her stuttering, who recommended immobilizing her right arm with a 
solid tube. At that time, the theory was that if she were forced to 
learn to write using her left hand instead of her right, she could 
somehow be distracted from her stuttering. Suffice it to say, the tube 
did not work. She is just one example of what stutterers have 
historically had to endure. Thankfully, today there are great treatment 
options available from licensed professionals.
  I am glad--very, very glad--there are great organizations, such as 
the National Stuttering Association and others, that are raising 
awareness on this important issue. There are important steps all of us 
can take to help those who stutter feel more confident and comfortable 
speaking. I hope people will go out and learn more about what they can 
do themselves, especially if they know someone who stutters.
  In recognition of National Stuttering Awareness Week, I have 
submitted a resolution to mark this observance. I am proud to say I am 
joined by 27 of my colleagues in sponsoring this resolution supporting 
the goals and ideals of National Stuttering Awareness Week 2010, and I 
thank them for their support. They include Senators Barrasso, Sherrod 
Brown, Burris, Cardin, Carper, Cantwell, Casey, Cornyn, Durbin, Enzi, 
Gregg, Hagan, Isakson, LeMieux, Levin, Mikulski, Pryor, Reed, Risch, 
Sessions, Shaheen, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Warner, Whitehouse, and Tom 
Udall.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Res. 524, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 524) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of National Stuttering Awareness Week 2010.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements related to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 524) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

[[Page S3684]]

                              S. Res. 524

       Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 Americans are affected by 
     stuttering;
       Whereas stuttering is a communication disorder experienced 
     by children and adults alike;
       Whereas individuals who stutter frequently experience 
     embarrassment, anxiety about speaking, and physical tension 
     in their speech muscles;
       Whereas many different types of stuttering exist, and the 
     symptoms of stuttering can range from mild to severe;
       Whereas the cause of stuttering is unknown, but research 
     suggests stuttering may be genetic;
       Whereas stuttering commonly begins in children between the 
     ages of 2 and 5;
       Whereas parents are encouraged to consult with 
     pediatricians or qualified speech-language pathologists as 
     soon as stuttering becomes apparent in a child in order to 
     take advantage of early-intervention therapies;
       Whereas it is known that stuttering is not--
       (1) a nervous disorder;
       (2) the result of emotional problems; or
       (3) the fault of the individual who stutters or the family 
     of that individual;
       Whereas a 2009 survey by the National Stuttering 
     Association found that--
       (1) 40 percent of adults and teenagers who stutter feel 
     that they have been denied a job, a promotion, or a school 
     opportunity as a result of stuttering; and
       (2) 8 out of 10 children who stutter report being bullied 
     or teased;
       Whereas many individuals who stutter do not have access to 
     qualified speech-language pathologists or helpful resources;
       Whereas several treatments for stuttering exist that can 
     help individuals who stutter learn to speak more easily and 
     gain confidence in themselves and their ability to 
     communicate effectively;
       Whereas organizations like the National Stuttering 
     Association have been working for many years to raise 
     awareness about stuttering, the effect stuttering has on the 
     lives of individuals who stutter, available treatment 
     options, and research being conducted to investigate the 
     causes of stuttering;
       Whereas, on April 13, 1988, the President of the United 
     States signed a proclamation designating the week of May 9 
     through 16 of that year as National Stuttering Awareness 
     Week;
       Whereas since 1988, individuals who stutter and the 
     families and friends those individuals, as well as medical 
     practitioners, speech language pathologists, researchers, and 
     others have marked the second week of May as National 
     Stuttering Awareness Week; and
       Whereas the goals of the National Stuttering Awareness Week 
     2010 include increasing awareness among the people of the 
     United States about stuttering and educating the people of 
     the United States about ways to improve the lives of those 
     who stutter: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Stuttering 
     Awareness Week 2010; and
       (2) encourages all of the people of the United States to 
     learn more about stuttering and ways to help individuals who 
     stutter feel more confident and comfortable speaking with 
     others.

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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