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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 524 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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;
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 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Stuttering 
        Awareness Week 2010; and
            (2) encourages all of the people of the United States to 
        learn more about stuttering and ways to help individuals who 
        stutter feel more confident and comfortable speaking with 
        others.
                                 <all>
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