[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5051-S5052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 407--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF 
       OCTOBER 2023 AS ``NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH''

  Mr. MORAN (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 407

       Whereas 1 in 700, or around 6,000 babies are born with Down 
     syndrome in the United States every year and each person with 
     Down syndrome is an important member of society;
       Whereas the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome 
     has increased dramatically, from 25 years of age in 1983 to 
     60 years of age in 2023;
       Whereas people with Down syndrome attend school and work, 
     participate in decisions that affect their livelihood, have 
     meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in 
     many ways;
       Whereas research has shown that employees with 
     disabilities, including Down syndrome, are loyal, dedicated, 
     and productive workers;
       Whereas, along with the care from their families, loved 
     ones, and caregivers, research and advocacy for positive 
     policy changes can improve the quality of life for members of 
     the Down syndrome community;
       Whereas, since 1984, Congress has been committed to 
     increasing Federal funding for Down syndrome research and 
     improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome 
     and their families;
       Whereas the National Institutes of Health reports that 
     Federal investment in Down syndrome research has increased 
     from $18,000,000 in fiscal year 2014 to $124,000,000 in 
     fiscal year 2022;
       Whereas, in unison with increased funding from Congress, 
     the National Institutes of Health has redoubled its effort in 
     biomedical and Down syndrome research, especially through the 
     INCLUDE initiative, which is advancing science on the 
     underlying cause of Alzheimer's disease among people with 
     Down syndrome;
       Whereas organizations in the nonprofit sector continue to 
     advocate for Federal research, drive policy changes, educate 
     the people of the United States, create guidebooks for 
     caregivers, and offer platforms to self-advocates who want to 
     share their personal experiences about Down syndrome with 
     others; and
       Whereas people with Down syndrome, their families, 
     Congress, and advocates remain focused on developing policies 
     to ensure people with Down syndrome have every opportunity to 
     live full and productive lives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of October 2023 as ``National 
     Down Syndrome Awareness Month'';
       (2) believes that National Down Syndrome Awareness Month is 
     an opportunity to celebrate people with Down syndrome and 
     their families as they continue to advocate for access and 
     opportunity to live fully included lives;
       (3) commends people with Down syndrome, their families, 
     medical researchers, doctors, scientists, and organizations 
     who are the driving force behind improving the quality of 
     life for people with Down syndrome; and

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       (4) reiterates its commitment to ensuring Federal 
     investment into Down syndrome research and pursuing policies 
     to better support the Down syndrome community.

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