```

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 407 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 407

 Expressing support for the designation of October 2023 as ``National 
                    Down Syndrome Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 17, 2023

     Mr. Moran (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing support for the designation of October 2023 as ``National 
                    Down Syndrome Awareness Month''.

Whereas 1 in 700, or around 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the 
        United States every year and each person with Down syndrome is an 
        important member of society;
Whereas the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased 
        dramatically, from 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years of age in 2023;
Whereas people with Down syndrome attend school and work, participate in 
        decisions that affect their livelihood, have meaningful relationships, 
        vote, and contribute to society in many ways;
Whereas research has shown that employees with disabilities, including Down 
        syndrome, are loyal, dedicated, and productive workers;
Whereas, along with the care from their families, loved ones, and caregivers, 
        research and advocacy for positive policy changes can improve the 
        quality of life for members of the Down syndrome community;
Whereas, since 1984, Congress has been committed to increasing Federal funding 
        for Down syndrome research and improving the quality of life for people 
        with Down syndrome and their families;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health reports that Federal investment in 
        Down syndrome research has increased from $18,000,000 in fiscal year 
        2014 to $124,000,000 in fiscal year 2022;
Whereas, in unison with increased funding from Congress, the National Institutes 
        of Health has redoubled its effort in biomedical and Down syndrome 
        research, especially through the INCLUDE initiative, which is advancing 
        science on the underlying cause of Alzheimer's disease among people with 
        Down syndrome;
Whereas organizations in the nonprofit sector continue to advocate for Federal 
        research, drive policy changes, educate the people of the United States, 
        create guidebooks for caregivers, and offer platforms to self-advocates 
        who want to share their personal experiences about Down syndrome with 
        others; and
Whereas people with Down syndrome, their families, Congress, and advocates 
        remain focused on developing policies to ensure people with Down 
        syndrome have every opportunity to live full and productive lives: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of October 2023 as ``National 
        Down Syndrome Awareness Month'';
            (2) believes that National Down Syndrome Awareness Month is 
        an opportunity to celebrate people with Down syndrome and their 
        families as they continue to advocate for access and 
        opportunity to live fully included lives;
            (3) commends people with Down syndrome, their families, 
        medical researchers, doctors, scientists, and organizations who 
        are the driving force behind improving the quality of life for 
        people with Down syndrome; and
            (4) reiterates its commitment to ensuring Federal 
        investment into Down syndrome research and pursuing policies to 
        better support the Down syndrome community.
                                 <all>
```