III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 524 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Stuttering Awareness Week 

2010. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 13, 2010 

Mr. KAUFMAN (for himself, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. BURRIS, 

Mr. CARDIN, Mr. CARPER, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CASEY, Mr. CORNYN, 

Mr. DURBIN, Mr. ENZI, Mr. GREGG, Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. 

LEMIEUX, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. PRYOR, Mr. REED, Mr. 

RISCH, Mr. SESSIONS, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. SNOWE, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. 

TESTER, Mr. WARNER, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. UDALL of New Mexico) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed 

to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Stuttering 

Awareness Week 2010. 

Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 Americans are affected by 

stuttering; 

Whereas stuttering is a communication disorder experienced 

by children and adults alike; 

Whereas individuals who stutter frequently experience embarrassment, anxiety about speaking, and physical tension in 

their speech muscles; 


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•SRES 524 ATS 

Whereas many different types of stuttering exist, and the 

symptoms of stuttering can range from mild to severe; 

Whereas the cause of stuttering is unknown, but research 

suggests stuttering may be genetic; 

Whereas stuttering commonly begins in children between the 

ages of 2 and 5; 

Whereas parents are encouraged to consult with pediatricians 

or qualified speech-language pathologists as soon as stuttering becomes apparent in a child in order to take advantage of early-intervention therapies; 

Whereas it is known that stuttering is not— 

(1) a nervous disorder; 

(2) the result of emotional problems; or 

(3) the fault of the individual who stutters or the 

family of that individual; 

Whereas a 2009 survey by the National Stuttering Association found that— 

(1) 40 percent of adults and teenagers who stutter 

feel that they have been denied a job, a promotion, or a 

school opportunity as a result of stuttering; and 

(2) 8 out of 10 children who stutter report being 

bullied or teased; 

Whereas many individuals who stutter do not have access to 

qualified speech-language pathologists or helpful resources; 

Whereas several treatments for stuttering exist that can help 

individuals who stutter learn to speak more easily and 

gain confidence in themselves and their ability to communicate effectively; 

Whereas organizations like the National Stuttering Association have been working for many years to raise awareness 


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•SRES 524 ATS 

about stuttering, the effect stuttering has on the lives of 

individuals who stutter, available treatment options, and 

research being conducted to investigate the causes of 

stuttering; 

Whereas, on April 13, 1988, the President of the United 

States signed a proclamation designating the week of 

May 9 through 16 of that year as National Stuttering 

Awareness Week; 

Whereas since 1988, individuals who stutter and the families 

and friends those individuals, as well as medical practitioners, speech language pathologists, researchers, and 

others have marked the second week of May as National 

Stuttering Awareness Week; and 

Whereas the goals of the National Stuttering Awareness 

Week 2010 include increasing awareness among the people of the United States about stuttering and educating 

the people of the United States about ways to improve 

the lives of those who stutter: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 

3 Stuttering Awareness Week 2010; and 

4 (2) encourages all of the people of the United 

5 States to learn more about stuttering and ways to 

6 help individuals who stutter feel more confident and 

7 comfortable speaking with others. 

Æ 


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