III 

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; 


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•SRES 407 IS 

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 opVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:17 Oct 18, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR407.IS SR407

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•SRES 407 IS 

portunity to live full and productive lives: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of October 2023 as 

3 ‘‘National Down Syndrome Awareness Month’’; 

4 (2) believes that National Down Syndrome 

5 Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate peo6 ple with Down syndrome and their families as they 

7 continue to advocate for access and opportunity to 

8 live fully included lives; 

9 (3) commends people with Down syndrome, 

10 their families, medical researchers, doctors, sci11 entists, and organizations who are the driving force 

12 behind improving the quality of life for people with 

13 Down syndrome; and 

14 (4) reiterates its commitment to ensuring Fed15 eral investment into Down syndrome research and 

16 pursuing policies to better support the Down syn17 drome community. 

Æ 


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