[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 169 (Thursday, October 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6824-S6825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 680--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 2018 AS ``NATIONAL DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 680

       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 caused by a difficulty in phonological 
     processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of 
     spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual 
     to speak, read, and spell, and often, the ability to learn a 
     second language;
       Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and 
     affects 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning 
     disability;
       Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, 
     affecting as many as 1 out of every 5 individuals;
       Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with 
     dyslexia may have both--
       (1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties in 
     accurate or fluent word recognition; and
       (2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as 
     reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and 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;
       Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and 
     dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade; and

[[Page S6825]]

       Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, 
     dyslexia are critical for ensuring that individuals with 
     dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that 
     leads to fluent reading, promotion of self-awareness and 
     self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary 
     accommodations that ensure success in school and in life: 
     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 2018 as ``National Dyslexia 
     Awareness Month''.

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