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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The designation of September as Deaf Awareness Month |
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serves as a fitting means to promote better understanding and to |
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encourage greater support of individuals who are deaf or hard of |
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hearing; and |
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WHEREAS, The International Day of the Deaf was first |
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celebrated in 1958, and it later expanded to become a weeklong |
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commemoration of the first World Congress of the World Federation |
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of the Deaf, which took place in Rome in September 1951; Deaf |
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Awareness Month was established in 1996 through the efforts of the |
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National Association of the Deaf; in the years since, deaf and hard |
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of hearing communities across the United States have marked the |
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occasion by celebrating the essential role that its members play in |
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society and by focusing attention on their experiences and |
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achievements; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is home to millions of individuals from |
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diverse backgrounds who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the members |
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of this unique cultural group share a rich and colorful history as |
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well as deep social connections; they often communicate through |
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visual methods, such as American Sign Language, written |
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communication, and lipreading, and they may use technologies such |
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as hearing aids, cochlear implants, video relay services, and |
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closed captions; and |
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WHEREAS, Government agencies such as the Texas Health and |
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Human Services Commission offer a variety of programs to support |
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citizens of all ages who are deaf or hard of hearing, including |
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communication services for events, educational initiatives, |
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interpreter training and certification, telecommunications |
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assistance, and tuition waivers; moreover, advocates for the deaf |
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and hard of hearing community are working to expand access to vital |
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resources and assistance and are dedicated to reducing stigma |
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related to deafness and hearing loss; and |
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WHEREAS, Deaf Awareness Month provides a welcome opportunity |
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to educate the public about issues that impact Texans who are deaf |
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or hard of hearing and to celebrate the many contributions they have |
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made to the vibrancy and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate September as Deaf Awareness Month; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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finally passed by the legislature. |