[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5372]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORTING AUTISM AWARENESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania). The Chair 
recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Autism 
Awareness Month. April is Autism Awareness Month, and today, April 2, 
is Autism Awareness Day.
  Autism is serious. It does not discriminate. People in all racial, 
socioeconomic, and ethnic groups are impacted. One in 68 children is 
diagnosed with autism. Let me say it again: one in 68 children. This is 
a very disturbing statistic.
  Mr. Speaker, Florida has a lot of great programs and resources for 
individuals with autism. The Centers for Autism and Related 
Disabilities, or CARD, all across the State of Florida will be offering 
resources and awareness month activities. The Partnership for Effective 
Programs for Students with Autism pairs teachers and schools with a 
professional from one of the many CARDs across Florida to assist 
students with autism. This program's motto is to ``provide quality 
educational programs to students with autism spectrum disorders.''
  It is the graciousness and generosity of organizations like these and 
of the individuals involved with them that help in the fight against 
autism. It is important to raise awareness. It is important to provide 
programs to assist children and adults with disorders on the autism 
spectrum. Ultimately, through groups like these and through public and 
private partnerships, we can continue to work towards a cure.
  I am committed to this cause, and I encourage my fellow Members on 
both sides of the aisle to get involved. This is an issue that truly 
overcomes partisan lines. The Light It Up Blue campaign draws awareness 
for autism as well. Today, thousands of businesses and landmarks will 
be lit blue. Together, we can shine the light on autism.

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