73R8696 CAC-D By Brimer H.R. No. 598 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Persons with Down syndrome are active citizens who 1-2 contribute much to the quality of life enjoyed by their friends and 1-3 neighbors in communities across the state; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The number of individuals with Down syndrome in our 1-5 society is projected by some to double in the next 10 years as a 1-6 result of improved clinical treatment and the increasingly frequent 1-7 decision made by many couples to postpone parenting until later 1-8 years; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Individuals with Down syndrome are becoming more 1-10 fully integrated into society and our public institutions, with the 1-11 result that more and more Americans will be personally exposed to 1-12 individuals with this genetic disorder and will need to be informed 1-13 and supportive of their fellow citizens; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Greater public awareness and acceptance of these 1-15 persons will increase their access to community housing, 1-16 employment, and social and recreational opportunities; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Joint resolutions have been introduced in both 1-18 chambers of the Congress of the United States to designate the 1-19 months of October 1993 and October 1994 as National Down Syndrome 1-20 Months, and it is fitting that the Texas House of Representatives 1-21 lend its full support to these efforts to spread a positive, 1-22 factual message about persons with Down syndrome; now, therefore, 1-23 be it 1-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-1 Legislature hereby designate October 1993 and October 1994 to be 2-2 Down Syndrome Months in Texas and encourage their observance in 2-3 public institutions and communities throughout this state.