LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 8-14, 2011, as Williams Syndrome Awareness Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious medical issues
that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 8-14, 2011, as Williams
Syndrome Awareness Week in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at
birth and affects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide; an estimated 20,000 to
30,000 people will be affected in the United States; it is known to
occur equally in both males and females and in every culture; and
WHEREAS, Most young children with Williams Syndrome are described as
having similar facial features characterized by a small upturned nose,
long upper lip length, wide mouth, full lips, small chin, and puffiness
around the eyes; facial features become more apparent with age; and
WHEREAS, Williams Syndrome is characterized by medical problems,
including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning
disabilities; these occur side by side with striking verbal abilities,
highly social personalities and an affinity for music; and
WHEREAS, In addition, many individuals born with Williams Syndrome
will suffer numerous other ailments including: elevated blood calcium
levels (hypercalcemia); low birth-weight, low weight gain, feeding prob-
lems and colic during infancy; dental abnormalities; kidney abnor-
malities; sensitive hearing; musculoskeletal problems; and attention
deficit disorder; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, most patients with Williams Syndrome will not
live as long as normal, due to complications; about 75 percent of
patients will have some mental retardation; and
WHEREAS, Children with Williams Syndrome need costly and ongoing
medical care and early interventions such as speech or occupational
therapy; as they grow, they struggle with spatial relations, numbers and
abstract reasoning, which can make daily tasks a challenge; and
WHEREAS, As people with Williams Syndrome mature beyond the structure
of school and family activities they often experience intense isolation
which can lead to depression; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Williams Syndrome are extremely sociable and
experience the normal need to connect with others; however, they often
do not process nuanced social cues and this makes it difficult to form
lasting relationships; and
WHEREAS, As adults, most people with Williams Syndrome will need
supportive housing to live to their fullest potential; moreover, most
patients will require full-time caregivers and often live in supervised
group homes; and
WHEREAS, Currently, there is no cure for Williams Syndrome and no
known way to prevent the genetic problem that causes it; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, state and national levels to support patients who are
affected by Williams Syndrome as well as their families; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 8-14, 2011, as

Williams Syndrome Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.