2009-K261
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim April 2009 as Autism Awareness Month in the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor David A. Paterson to proclaim April 2009 as Autism Awareness Month
in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Autism, the third most common developmental disability in the
United States, is an affliction occurring in children before the age of
three, recognized by unresponsiveness to human contact, deficits in
language development, and peculiar reactions to environmental stimuli;
and
WHEREAS, Affecting over 1.5 million Americans, the cause of autism is
unknown and is the result of a neurological disorder; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, at least one child in 150 will be diagnosed with
autism; more cases of autism have been reported in the last three years
than in the past seven; and
WHEREAS, Autism knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries, and is
four times more prevalent in boys than girls; and
WHEREAS, Autism interferes with the normal development of the brain in
the areas of reasoning, social interaction and communication skills,
causing people with autism to have difficulty relating to others; and
WHEREAS, Autism has wide-ranging implications for the entire family of
the diagnosed individual and early diagnosis, research, training, educa-
tion, and medicine and other therapies are vital to the reduction of its
effects; and
WHEREAS, Significant progress has been made over the past 35 years in
these areas, resulting in an improved quality of life for those with
autism and their loved ones; and
WHEREAS, It is in the interest of New York State to recognize the
achievements made and to continue these efforts by promoting the aware-
ness and fostering the understanding of autism; and
WHEREAS, Autism Awareness Month has been recognized nationally since
1996; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim April 2009 as Autism
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York; the Autism Coalition of the Empire State (ACES); Autism Speaks;
and the National Alliance for Autism Research.