IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 814 

Expressing support for the recognition of October 2023 as ‘‘National Dyslexia 

Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 25, 2023 

Mr. WESTERMAN (for himself, Ms. BROWNLEY, Mr. BUCSHON, Mrs. 

HOUCHIN, Ms. DELBENE, Mr. HILL, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. GRAVES of 

Louisiana, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. BURLISON, Mr. WOMACK, and Mr. 

CRAWFORD) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the recognition of October 2023 as 

‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas dyslexia is— 

(1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for 

an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and 

(2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing (the appreciation of the individual 

sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of 

an individual to speak, read, and spell; 

Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–391; 

132 Stat. 5194) included a definition of dyslexia as part 


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•HRES 814 IH 

of the requirement of the Act to screen inmates for dyslexia upon intake in Federal prisons; 

Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, 

United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of the 

First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–391; 132 Stat. 

5195), is the first and only definition of dyslexia in a 

Federal statute; 

Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and 

affects 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning 

disability; 

Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting 

as many as 1 out of every 5 individuals; 

Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dyslexia may have both— 

(1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties 

in accurate or fluent word recognition; and 

(2) strengths in higher level cognitive functions, 

such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, 

and problem solving; 

Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology and 

cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia; 

Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and 

dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade; 

Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia 

are critical for ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to 

fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and selfempowerment, and the provision of necessary accommodations that ensure success in school and in life; and 


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•HRES 814 IH 

Whereas October 2023 is an appropriate month to designate 

as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and 

3 local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia 

4 has significant educational implications that must be 

5 addressed; and 

6 (2) supports the designation of ‘‘National Dys7 lexia Awareness Month’’. 

Æ 


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