[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING AND JOINING AUTISM COMMUNITY TOGETHER (ACT) IN CELEBRATING 
              THE MONTH OF APRIL AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2017

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Guam's Autism 
Community Together (ACT) as they join Autism Speaks and the 
international community in celebrating the month of April as Autism 
Awareness Month to shine a light on autism. I also join the pledge to 
``Light It Up Blue'' throughout the month of April to support autism 
awareness and autism acceptance.
  World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was established by the United 
Nations in 2007 to raise awareness of the issues surrounding people, 
particularly children with autism worldwide. World Autism Awareness Day 
has since been commemorated throughout the world by communities wearing 
blue. Autism Community Together is Guam's local organization leading 
the efforts to increase autism awareness and promoting World Autism 
Awareness Day. Autism Community Together is an organization based in 
Guam as a support group for families with autistic children. Though we 
have made great strides as a nation to improve services and 
opportunities for peoples with disabilities, there are still 
improvements that can be made. ACT is dedicated to helping individuals 
and parents find resources, support, and training while making diligent 
strides to increase the awareness of autism spectrum disorders and 
advocating for effective services and the unique needs of individuals 
with autism and their families.
  During the month of April, I also encourage those throughout the Guam 
community and the nation to participate and pledge to ``Light It Up 
Blue.'' Individuals and organizations can show their support by asking 
friends, family, and colleagues to wear blue or accessorize with blue; 
light up homes and businesses with blue lights and decorations; and 
turn social media pictures blue. These are just small acts that we can 
do as a community to show our support for autism awareness and 
acceptance.
  Additionally, I commend Autism Community Together as it hosts the 
10th Annual Autism Awareness Fair ``Acceptance in Action'' to coincide 
with World Autism Day. The Autism Awareness Fair is the largest 
outreach event hosted by ACT throughout the year and brings together 
government agencies, non-profit organizations, service providers, 
support vendors with the intent to provide information and resources on 
the various disability related programs and services available on Guam.
  On behalf of the people of Guam, I thank the Autism Community 
Together organization and all government agencies and community 
partners for their assistance to spread autism awareness and 
acceptance. I join ACT in pledging to light up the island of Guam blue 
throughout the month of April and look forward to their future 
contributions in opening more opportunities to those in our community 
living with autism.

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