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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Williams syndrome affects as many as 30,000 people |
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across the United States; and |
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WHEREAS, A developmental disorder, Williams syndrome is |
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characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability or |
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learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive |
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facial features, and cardiovascular problems; it is caused by the |
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deletion of genetic material from a specific region of chromosome |
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7; and |
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WHEREAS, Individuals with the syndrome tend to be outgoing |
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and take a great interest in other people; they may demonstrate |
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strengths in some intellectual areas, such as speech, long-term |
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memory, musical ability, and social skills, while showing weakness |
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in others, and they are prone to attention deficit disorder, |
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anxiety issues, or phobias; and |
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WHEREAS, Frequently, WS brings a form of cardiovascular |
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disease, supravalvular aortic stenosis, that can become |
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life-threatening if left untreated; children with the syndrome may |
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need costly and ongoing medical care, and personalized educational |
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programs are generally indicated; and |
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WHEREAS, Struggles with spatial relations, numbers, and |
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abstract reasoning can make daily tasks challenging, and as adults, |
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a high percentage of people with WS require supportive housing; |
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most lead healthy, full, and active lives, contributing to their |
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communities as volunteers or through employment, but it is vital |
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that they receive ongoing medical monitoring and supervision to |
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detect medical problems that may develop over time; and |
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WHEREAS, Through appropriate care, education, and support, |
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individuals with Williams syndrome can reach their highest |
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potential, and early diagnosis greatly increases opportunities to |
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address health issues as they arise and help children grow to become |
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happy, productive citizens of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby encourage greater awareness of Williams |
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syndrome and call on all Texans to learn more about this condition. |