[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9668-9670]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1106) expressing support for designation of April 
2008 as ``National Autism Awareness Month'' and supporting efforts to 
devote new resources to research into the causes and treatment of 
autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism 
and those who care for individuals with autism.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1106

       Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is 
     typically diagnosed during the first 3 years of life, robbing 
     individuals of their ability to communicate and interact with 
     others;
       Whereas autism affects an estimated 1 in every 150 children 
     in the United States;
       Whereas autism is four times more likely to occur in boys 
     than in girls;
       Whereas autism can affect anyone, regardless of race, 
     ethnicity, or other factors;
       Whereas it costs approximately $80,000 per year to treat an 
     individual with autism in a medical center specializing in 
     developmental disabilities;
       Whereas the cost of special education programs for school-
     age children with autism is often more than $30,000 per 
     individual per year;
       Whereas the cost nationally of caring for persons affected 
     by autism is estimated at upwards of $90,000,000,000 per 
     year;
       Whereas despite the fact that autism is one of the most 
     common developmental disorders, many professionals in the 
     medical and educational fields are still unaware of the best 
     methods to diagnose and treat the disorder; and
       Whereas April 2008 would be an appropriate month to 
     designate as ``National Autism Awareness Month'' to increase 
     public awareness of the need to support individuals with 
     autism and the family members and medical professionals who 
     care for individuals with autism: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses support for designation of a ``National 
     Autism Awareness Month'';
       (2) recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of 
     children with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in 
     providing for the special needs of children with autism and 
     for absorbing significant financial costs for specialized 
     education and support services;
       (3) supports the goal of devoting new resources to 
     researching the root causes of autism, identifying the best 
     methods of early intervention and treatment, expanding 
     programs for individuals with autism across their lifespans, 
     and promoting understanding of the special needs of people 
     with autism;
       (4) stresses the need to begin early intervention services 
     soon after a child has been diagnosed with autism, noting 
     that early intervention strategies are the primary 
     therapeutic options for young people with autism, and that 
     early intervention significantly improves the outcome for 
     people with autism and can reduce the level of funding and 
     services needed to treat people with autism later in life;
       (5) recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained 
     teachers who have the skills and support necessary to teach, 
     assist, and respond to special needs students, including 
     those with autism, in our school systems; and
       (6) recognizes the importance of worker training programs 
     that are tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled 
     persons, including those with autism, and notes that people 
     with autism can be, and are, productive members of the 
     workforce if they are given appropriate support, training, 
     and early intervention services.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Wynn) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1106, which designates 
April 2008 as National Autism Awareness Month and supports efforts to 
devote new resources to research into the causes and treatment of 
autism spectrum disorder.
  Autism is a developmental spectrum disorder which inhibits an 
individual's ability to communicate and interact with others. For 
parents eager to communicate with their child, there is nothing more 
painful than watching their child fail to provide either a verbal or 
non-verbal cue of responsiveness. Affecting an estimated 1 in every 150 
children and costing an estimated $90 billion to care for those with 
this disorder, the toll of autism spectrum disorder on our country is 
significant.
  The resolution before us supports the goals of devoting new resources 
to researching the root causes of autism, expanding programs for 
individuals with autism spectrum disorder across their life span and 
promoting understanding of the special needs of people with autism 
spectrum disorder. This resolution also emphasizes the need for

[[Page 9669]]

early intervention services, starting as soon as the child has been 
diagnosed with autism.
  While there is currently no available cure for autism spectrum 
disorder, early behavioral intervention strategies significantly 
improve the outcome for those suffering from autism. These strategies 
can also reduce the level of funding and services necessary to treat 
people later in life.
  I would like to note for the Record, Mr. Speaker, Ms. Daisy Maggette, 
my constituent from the Fourth District of Maryland, who has been a 
tireless advocate and activist in the fight against autism in our 
community.
  I would also like to thank my colleague, Congressman David Reichert, 
for his work in bringing this resolution to the floor today. I would 
also like to thank Congressman Mike Doyle for his leadership on this 
issue.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H. Res. 1106.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1106, 
acknowledging the month of April as National Autism Awareness Month and 
supporting research efforts for the causes and treatment of autism, as 
well as the very special and enormous challenges faced by the parents 
of autistic children.
  As founder and cochair of the Congressional Autism Caucus that I 
formed along with my good friend and colleague Mike Doyle back in 2001, 
I am very pleased to be here in strong support of this resolution. I 
would note parenthetically that we have 165 members in our caucus from 
both sides another aisle. I think with that kind of strength, we have 
been able to push a lot of new funding, both at NIH and CDC, which is I 
think appreciated by the community.
  Awareness, Mr. Speaker, is in fact a crucial part of our fight, again 
making this resolution important. The more we inform and educate the 
general public about autism spectrum disorders, the earlier the medical 
community can effectively diagnose children with autism and get them 
the help that they need, and that is important news for the 1.5 million 
children and adults who currently suffer from autism spectrum disorders 
and their families.
  I would like to first and foremost recognize and commend the parents 
and the families of individuals with autism for their sacrifice and 
dedication in providing for the special needs of their children and 
brothers and sisters with autism.

                              {time}  1700

  They are heroic. I also want to extend heartfelt thanks and 
appreciation to the teachers, physicians, therapists, and all other 
advocates who work with such diligence and compassion to support 
individuals with autism and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected back in 1980, the prevalence of 
autism was estimated to be one out of every 10,000. Just 10 years ago, 
that number had been changed or updated to be one child in every 500. 
Today, it is estimated that one in 150 children in the United States 
will have autism spectrum disorder; and, once diagnosed, early 
intervention is key to significantly improving the outcome of 
individuals with this developmental disorder.
  Autism, as we know, robs individuals of their ability to communicate 
and interact with others in society, but early intervention can help 
those individuals live a more satisfying life. I recognize the success 
of the worker training programs tailored for Americans with autism. 
With proper support, training, and early intervention, people with 
autism can be more productive members of our workforce.
  I would like to thank the author of the resolution, Mr. David 
Reichert of Washington, for his leadership in raising autism awareness 
and commending the efforts of those who care for individuals with 
autism.
  It is important that, in addition to this important awareness 
resolution, that we move forward in Congress with other important 
legislation to help those with autism and their families, such as the 
bill that I have introduced, along with Mike Doyle, called the Global 
Autism Assistance Act. This bill would establish a $10 million program 
to fund projects to address autism in the developing world over a 
period of 3 years. Grants would aim to raise awareness and 
understanding of autism and to aid service providers in less developed 
countries. The idea actually came when I was in Lagos in Nigeria and 
met with some individuals who are caring for autistic children who are 
absolutely without funds, and yet through love and through expertise 
they were helping children. But only a small number of kids were 
getting help in Nigeria, and that is where the idea was formed.
  Another critical initiative is a bill that I joined Mike Doyle in 
introducing, called the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with 
Autism Act, H.R. 1881, which would authorize $350 million over 5 years 
to improve access to comprehensive treatment, intervention, and 
services for individuals with autism and their families, including 
adults with autism. Among its important provisions, it would create a 
task force of experts to evaluate current therapies and services, 
establish several grant programs to assist States to provide services 
for children and adults with autism, and call for a study of public and 
private financing of treatments and services.
  You hear a lot about the lack of bipartisanship in Washington, DC, 
these days, Mr. Speaker. In the fight to combat autism, nothing could 
be further from the truth. Members on both sides of the aisle are 
united and committed to providing care and services for individuals 
with autism and the families.
  I urge strong support for this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, before I yield the balance of my time, I want 
to recognize the gentleman and thank him for his leadership on this 
issue. He has been truly committed. I also again would like to 
recognize the work of Mr. Doyle, my colleague, and also my colleague 
and sponsor, Mr. Reichert, for his leadership on this issue.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
1106 which expresses support for designating April 2008 as National 
Autism Awareness Month.
  Autism is a very real issue for many of my constituents whose 
families have been affected by this condition. I hear about the 
challenges that these families face at each Congress on Your Corner I 
host and receive many constituent letters on this issue.
  My district is fortunate to house the Melmark New England 
headquarters. This organization is dedicated to serving children and 
adolescents with the autism spectrum disorders.
  Founded in 1998, Melmark, New England recently celebrated its 10th 
Anniversary. At a recent visit in celebration of this occasion, I had 
the opportunity to see first hand the importance of early intervention 
and proper treatment for those individuals living with autism.
  I commend Melmark New England and organizations like it across the 
country that provide quality treatment to those living with Autism.
  My hope is that passage of this resolution will help to expand these 
programs by highlighting the need for early intervention services and 
appropriately trained teachers to teach, assist, and respond to special 
needs students.
  Mr. WYNN. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1106.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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