TITLE: Recognizing April 2, 2011, as World Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 2, 2011, as World Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorders can affect all persons, regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, or geography; and WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorders currently affect one in 110 children and one in 70 boys, affecting four times as many boys as girls in the United States; and WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown; and WHEREAS, Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, is dedicated to funding research into the causes of autism, effective methods of prevention and treatment, and finding a cure for this disorder; and WHEREAS, Autism Speaks advocates for the needs of individuals with autism and their families; and WHEREAS, Autism Speaks strives to increase global awareness of autism spectrum disorders and to that end advocated for the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2; and WHEREAS, On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing World Autism Awareness Day by unanimous consent, encouraging United Nations member states to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to promote early diagnosis and early behavioral intervention; and WHEREAS, The resolution designates World Autism Awareness Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2008 to raise global awareness of autism; and WHEREAS, The aims for World Autism Awareness Day are to inform the general public about the global health crisis of autism, stress the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention, and celebrate the unique talents and qualities of individuals with autism; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby recognize World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2011; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Shapiro Davis Nelson Whitmire Lucio Rodriguez Zaffirini Dewhurst, President of the Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 4, 2011.