By Dutton                                              H.R. No. 536
         77R9472 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to
 1-2     recognize April 27, 2001, as Autism Awareness Day in Texas; and
 1-3           WHEREAS, Autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong
 1-4     developmental disability that results in significant impairment of
 1-5     an individual's ability to learn, develop healthy interactive
 1-6     behaviors, and understand verbal, nonverbal, and reciprocal
 1-7     communication; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Affecting more than 500,000 individuals nationwide,
 1-9     autism is the result of a neurological disorder affecting the brain
1-10     and is the third most common developmental disability; although a
1-11     cure for it has not been found, persons with the syndrome can be
1-12     helped to reach their potential through accurate, early diagnosis
1-13     and the appropriate education and intervention; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Support groups such as the Autism Society of America
1-15     have dedicated years to advocating for the rights, humane
1-16     treatment, and appropriate education of all persons with autism;
1-17     these groups have been invaluable to educating families,
1-18     professionals, and the general public so that they may better
1-19     understand this lifelong disability; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Autism is a complex disorder that requires increased
1-21     research to one day find a cure and prevention; greater recognition
1-22     and understanding of the disability will help ensure that
1-23     individuals with autism living in Texas and across the country are
1-24     accurately diagnosed and treated throughout their lives; now,
 2-1     therefore, be it
 2-2           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-3     Legislature hereby recognize April 27, 2001, as Autism Awareness
 2-4     Day in the Lone Star State and encourage all Texans to seek out
 2-5     information about this complex syndrome.