[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 96 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 503--DESIGNATING JUNE 2012 AS ``NATIONAL APHASIA 
   AWARENESS MONTH'' AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF 
                                APHASIA

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota (for himself and Mr. Kirk) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 503

       Whereas aphasia is a communication impairment caused by 
     brain damage that typically results from a stroke;
       Whereas aphasia can also occur with other neurological 
     disorders, such as a brain tumor;
       Whereas many people with aphasia also have weakness or 
     paralysis in the 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 of, or 
     reduction in, the ability to speak, comprehend, read, and 
     write, but the intelligence of a person with aphasia remains 
     intact;
       Whereas, according to the National Institute of 
     Neurological Disorders and Stroke (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``NINDS''), strokes are the third-leading 
     cause of death in the United States, ranking behind heart 
     disease and cancer;
       Whereas strokes are a leading cause of serious, long-term 
     disability in the United States;
       Whereas the NINDS estimates that there are approximately 
     5,000,000 stroke survivors in the United States;
       Whereas the NINDS estimates that people in the United 
     States suffer approximately 750,000 strokes per year, with 
     about \1/3\ of the strokes resulting in aphasia;
       Whereas, according to the NINDS, aphasia affects at least 
     1,000,000 people in the United States;
       Whereas the NINDS estimates that more than 200,000 people 
     in the United States acquire aphasia each year;
       Whereas the people of the United States should strive to 
     learn more about aphasia and to promote research, 
     rehabilitation, and support services for people with aphasia 
     and aphasia caregivers throughout the United States; and
       Whereas people with aphasia and their caregivers envision a 
     world that recognizes the ``silent'' disability of aphasia 
     and provides opportunity and fulfillment for people affected 
     by aphasia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 2012 as ``National Aphasia Awareness 
     Month'';
       (2) supports efforts to increase awareness of aphasia;
       (3) recognizes that strokes, a primary cause of aphasia, 
     are the third-largest cause of death and disability in the 
     United States;
       (4) acknowledges that aphasia deserves more attention and 
     study to find new solutions for people experiencing aphasia 
     and their caregivers;
       (5) supports efforts to make the voices of people with 
     aphasia heard, because people with aphasia are often unable 
     to communicate with others; and
       (6) encourages all people in the United States to observe 
     National Aphasia Awareness Month with appropriate events and 
     activities.

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