III 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 554 

Designating March 2022 as ‘‘World Down Syndrome Month’’ and supporting 

the goals and ideals of World Down Syndrome Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 21, 2022 

Mr. DAINES (for himself and Mr. HICKENLOOPER) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating March 2022 as ‘‘World Down Syndrome Month’’ 

and supporting the goals and ideals of World Down 

Syndrome Month. 

Whereas 1 in every 691 babies born in the United States has 

Down syndrome, and only 1 in every 1,100 worldwide; 

Whereas Down syndrome is the most frequent chromosomal 

condition and occurs in all racial, ethnic, and economic 

groups; 

Whereas individuals with Down syndrome attend school, 

work, make their own life decisions, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society; 

Whereas advancements in education, medical care, research, 

and advocacy and positive support from family, friends, 


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and the community contribute to individuals with Down 

syndrome living healthy and fulfilling lives; 

Whereas promoting inclusive education, competitive integrated employment, and home and community-based 

services for individuals with Down syndrome is vital to 

individuals with Down syndrome achieving independence, 

economic self-sufficiency, and full participation in society; 

Whereas the life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome in the United States has increased dramatically in 

recent decades, from 25 years of age in 1983 to 60 years 

of age in 2022; 

Whereas racial and ethnic minorities with Down syndrome 

experience life expectancy and health care disparities, 

which should be understood and addressed; 

Whereas individuals with Down syndrome have different 

health profiles than other individuals, as individuals with 

Down syndrome are predisposed to develop certain major 

diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, leukemia, and 

Alzheimer’s disease, and may not experience other major 

diseases, such as solid tumor cancers, certain heart attacks, and stroke; 

Whereas individuals with Down syndrome should have access 

to health care providers who have easy access to updated, 

evidence-based medical care guidelines for children and 

adults with Down syndrome; 

Whereas parents of babies and children with Down syndrome 

should receive the education and support they need to 

understand Down syndrome; 

Whereas, on October 8, 2008, the Prenatally and Postnatally 

Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act (Public Law 110– 

374; 122 Stat. 4051) was enacted to increase referrals in 


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the United States to providers of key support services for 

mothers who have received a positive prenatal diagnosis 

for Down syndrome or a positive diagnosis for other prenatally or postnatally diagnosed conditions; 

Whereas the United States, along with over 100 other countries, officially observes the date March 21 as World 

Down Syndrome Day, because Down syndrome occurs 

when an individual is born with 3 copies of chromosome 

21; and 

Whereas the inherent dignity and worth of individuals with 

Down syndrome, the valuable contributions of individuals 

with Down syndrome as promoters of well-being and diversity within their communities, and the importance of 

the individual freedom and independence of individuals 

with Down syndrome should be recognized: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates March 2022 as ‘‘World Down 

3 Syndrome Month’’; 

4 (2) supports the goals and ideals of World 

5 Down Syndrome Month; 

6 (3) celebrates the significant contributions that 

7 individuals with Down syndrome make to their fami8 lies, their communities, the United States, and the 

9 world; 

10 (4) is committed to promoting the health, edu11 cation, employment, well-being, community inclusion 


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1 and support, and inherent dignity of all children and 

2 adults with Down syndrome; 

3 (5) supports the advancement of scientific and 

4 medical research benefitting individuals with Down 

5 syndrome through the national and international en6 deavors of the National Institutes of Health, includ7 ing through the INCLUDE project, focused on im8 proving health outcomes for individuals with Down 

9 syndrome; and 

10 (6) encourages awareness and education regard11 ing Down syndrome, including for new and expect12 ant parents. 

Æ 


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