[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 25, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 396--DESIGNATING MARCH 25, 2014, AS ``NATIONAL 
                     CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 396

       Whereas the term ``cerebral palsy'' refers to a group of 
     permanent disorders of the development of movement and 
     posture that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances 
     that occur in the developing brain;
       Whereas cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability in 
     children, is caused by damage to 1 or more specific areas of 
     the developing brain, which usually occurs during fetal 
     development, before, during, or after birth;
       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 individuals with cerebral palsy also have at least 
     1 co-occurring condition, with 41 percent of such individuals 
     having co-occurring epilepsy and nearly 7 percent having co-
     occurring autism spectrum disorder;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 
     released information indicating that cerebral palsy is not 
     decreasing in prevalence and that an estimated 1 in 323 
     children has cerebral palsy;
       Whereas approximately 800,000 people in the United States 
     are affected by cerebral palsy;
       Whereas although there is currently 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 
     about cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 25, 2014, as ``National Cerebral Palsy 
     Awareness Day'';
       (2) encourages all people of 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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