H.R. No. 1782

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Autism is the general term for a group of complex
	neurodevelopmental disorders that are estimated to impact 1 to 1.5
	million American adults and as many as 1 out of every 50 children;
	those living with autism in Texas number approximately 260,000; and
	WHEREAS, Symptoms of autism typically emerge during the first
	three years of life and include varying degrees of difficulty in
	social interaction and communication and the presence of certain
	repetitive behaviors; persons affected by autism may also
	experience intellectual disabilities, motor coordination
	impairment, and physical health issues, such as sleep and
	gastrointestinal disturbances; and
	WHEREAS, While there is no known cure for autism, early
	diagnosis and intervention can drastically alleviate symptoms and
	can reduce the cost of lifelong care by as much as two-thirds;
	research has further underlined the significance of family
	involvement, making connecting families with autism education and
	resources a priority of particular urgency; and
	WHEREAS, The United States is home to a number of advocacy
	groups dedicated to ensuring that all persons living with autism
	receive appropriate and effective treatment and to allaying the
	challenges and expenses faced by their loved ones; and
	WHEREAS, One such group is the Autism Society of America, one
	of the oldest and largest grassroots organizations of its kind in
	the nation; composed of 107 local and statewide affiliates, the
	Autism Society provides more than one million people a year with
	information, referrals, and support services to help affected
	individuals reach their full potential and attain an optimal
	quality of life; and
	WHEREAS, This admirable group offers a wealth of important
	resources, including a national contact center that each month
	responds to over 24,000 people in need of answers or assistance; the
	society also hosts one of the longest-running and most
	comprehensive national conferences on autism, a gathering that
	brings together the expertise and experience of professionals,
	family members, and individuals along the autism spectrum to build
	more effective advocacy and support strategies; and
	WHEREAS, Another organization worthy of note is Autism
	Speaks, founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a
	child with autism, and their longtime friend Bernie Marcus, whose
	$25 million donation was instrumental to the group's launch; Autism
	Speaks has since grown into a leading worldwide research sponsor,
	having committed over $160 million toward investigations into the
	causes, prevention, and treatment of autism; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to its range of research endeavors, the
	organization's focus includes the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment
	Network, the Autism Speaks Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, and
	various other scientific and clinical programs, as well as
	awareness initiatives like the Light it Up Blue project; moreover,
	members of its Government Relations Team have successfully
	campaigned in behalf of federal legislation concerning persons with
	autism, in particular insurance reform to cover behavioral
	treatments; and
	WHEREAS, On April 30, 2013, representatives of the Autism
	Society of America and Autism Speaks are joining with other
	concerned individuals from across the state in Austin to observe
	Texas Autism Awareness Day; designed to increase public
	understanding of the rights and abilities of autistic persons and
	to draw attention to advocacy efforts, this event is among many ways
	that Texans and their national allies are working to foster an
	environment of compassion, encouragement, and acceptance for all
	those touched by autism; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize April 30, 2013, as Autism Awareness
	Day at the State Capitol and commend the Autism Society of America
	and Autism Speaks for their many meaningful contributions; and, be
	it further
	RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
	for the Autism Society of America and Autism Speaks as an expression
	of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
	Simmons
	Gonzales
	Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira
	Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr
	Alonzo Gooden Otto
	Alvarado Guerra Paddie
	Anchia Guillen Parker
	Anderson Gutierrez Patrick
	Ashby Harless Perez
	Aycock Harper-Brown Perry
	Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips
	Bohac Herrero Pickett
	Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts
	Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price
	Branch Huberty Raney
	Burkett Hughes Ratliff
	Burnam Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Callegari Johnson Riddle
	Canales Kacal Ritter
	Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis
	Clardy King of Parker Rose
	Coleman King of Taylor Sanford
	Collier King of Zavala Schaefer
	Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets
	Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell
	Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell
	Creighton Krause Simmons
	Crownover Kuempel Simpson
	Dale Larson Smith
	Darby Laubenberg Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer
	J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson
	S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland
	Deshotel Longoria Strama
	Dukes Lozano Taylor
	Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria
	Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris
	Elkins Martinez Toth
	Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin
	Farias McClendon Turner of Harris
	Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles Villalba
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White
	Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman
	Giddings Murphy Wu
	Goldman Naishtat Zedler
	Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 1782 was adopted by the House on April
	30, 2013, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House