1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 834 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride 1-4 in joining citizens across the state in recognizing Monday, 1-5 May 7, 2001, as Autism Awareness Day in the State of Texas; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The need for understanding this severely 1-7 incapacitating developmental disability has become increasingly 1-8 more important due to the growing number of those being diagnosed 1-9 with the lifelong disorder; nationwide, there are more than 500,000 1-10 individuals suffering from this significant impairment; and 1-11 WHEREAS, A disease that knows no social, racial, or ethnic 1-12 boundaries, autism typically appears in the first three years of 1-13 life; it affects normal development of the brain in the areas of 1-14 social interaction and communication skills, making it extremely 1-15 difficult for those afflicted to relate to the outside world; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Due to the concerted efforts of support groups 1-17 such as the Autism Society of America, public awareness of 1-18 the day-to-day issues facing autistics has been increased; the 1-19 society has educated families, professionals, and the public 1-20 on the lifelong impairments of the disease as well as acted as 2-1 a collective voice for rights and humane treatment for those 2-2 who cannot express their own plight; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Texas has a vital interest and a moral obligation 2-4 to promote opportunities for citizens stricken with this complex 2-5 developmental disability; public awareness and understanding of 2-6 autism needs to be supported by all Texans; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-8 77th Legislature, hereby declare Monday, May 7, 2001, Autism 2-9 Awareness Day in Texas and encourage all Texans to participate 2-10 in its observance. 2-11 Barrientos 2-12 ______________________________________ 2-13 President of the Senate 2-14 I hereby certify that the above 2-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-16 on April 30, 2001. 2-17 ______________________________________ 2-18 Secretary of the Senate 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 Member, Texas Senate