IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 653 

Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to 

recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must 

be addressed, and supporting the designation of October 2019 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 23, 2019 

Mr. WESTERMAN (for himself, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Ms. BROWNLEY of 

California, Mr. MOULTON, Mr. BUCSHON, Mr. HILL of Arkansas, Mr. 

PALAZZO, Mr. KILMER, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. SWALWELL of California, Mr. 

TAKANO, Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire, Mr. STIVERS, Mrs. WATSON

COLEMAN, Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma, and Mrs. WALORSKI) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Education and Labor 

RESOLUTION 

Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational 

agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and supporting 

the designation of October 2019 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 


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•HRES 653 IH 

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 

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 


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•HRES 653 IH 

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

Whereas, October 2019 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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