[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6083-S6084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 576--CALLING ON CONGRESS, SCHOOLS, AND STATE AND 
  LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL 
IMPLICATIONS OF DYSLEXIA THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED AND DESIGNATING OCTOBER 
             2016 AS ``NATIONAL DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Murphy, and Ms. Warren) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 576

       Whereas dyslexia is--
       (1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an 
     individual who has the intelligence to be a much better 
     reader; and
       (2) most commonly due to a difficulty in phonological 
     processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of 
     spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual 
     to speak, read, spell, and often, learn a second language;
       Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and 
     affects 80 percent to 90 percent of all individuals with a 
     learning disability;
       Whereas dyslexia is highly prevalent, affecting as many as 
     1 out of 5 individuals, and persistent;
       Whereas dyslexia is a paradox such that an individual with 
     dyslexia may have--
       (1) weaknesses in decoding that results in difficulties in 
     accurate or fluent word recognition; and
       (2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as 
     reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, or problem 
     solving;
       Whereas great progress has been made in understanding 
     dyslexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology 
     and cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia; and

[[Page S6084]]

       Whereas early diagnosis of dyslexia is critical for 
     ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, 
     evidence-based intervention that leads to the promotion of 
     self-awareness and self-empowerment and the provision of 
     necessary accommodations so as to ensure school and life 
     success: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and local 
     educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has 
     significant educational implications that must be addressed; 
     and
       (2) designates October 2016 as ``National Dyslexia 
     Awareness Month''.

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