Assembly Resolution No. 571

BY: M. of A. Weprin

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 9-15, 2025, as Stuttering Awareness Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health conditions that affect the lives of citizens of New York State;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 9-15, 2025, as Stuttering
Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Stuttering Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, National Stuttering Awareness Week, observed annually
during the second week of May, serves to increase public understanding
of stuttering and to promote education, acceptance, and support for
those affected by this communication disorder; and

WHEREAS, Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition
of sounds, syllables, or words, prolongation of sounds, and
interruptions in speech; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated about one percent of the world's population
stutters and roughly three million Americans stutter; and

WHEREAS, Children often begin to experience signs of stuttering
between the ages of two and five and children who stutter are more
likely to experience negative social and educational outcomes than their
peers who do not stutter; and

WHEREAS, When stuttering persists into adulthood, it can impact an
individual's ability to communicate effectively, potentially affecting
quality of life, interpersonal relationships, employment opportunities,
and career advancement; and

WHEREAS, While there is currently no known cure for stuttering, a
range of therapeutic approaches and interventions are available to help
individuals manage the condition and address the challenges it may
present in daily communication; and

WHEREAS, Treatment for stuttering provided by speech language
pathologists is highly individualized and may include techniques to
improve fluency, manage communication-related anxiety, and build
functional communication skills; and

WHEREAS, Early intervention is generally more effective in
addressing stuttering in children, and many schools provide valuable
resources and support services to assist with timely diagnosis and
treatment; and

WHEREAS, Numerous organizations and professionals committed to
supporting, educating, and empowering children and adults who

stutter-through advocacy, research, and community outreach-maintain a
strong presence across New York State; and

WHEREAS, Stuttering Awareness Week provides a meaningful opportunity
to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people who stutter,
and to advance efforts to improve treatment, access to speech therapy,
and public acceptance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 9-15, 2025, as
Stuttering Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.