IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 623 
Recognizing the importance of dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities 
and promoting research, education, and awareness. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 12, 2014 
Mrs. BEATTY (for herself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. NORTON, Mr. JOHN-
SON of Georgia, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. HIMES, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, 
Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Ms. KUSTER, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. LEE 
of California, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. SWALWELL 
of California, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. STIVERS, and Ms. 
KELLY of Illinois) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the importance of dyslexia and other specific 
learning disabilities and promoting research, education, 
and awareness. 
Whereas this resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Sydney 
Crawford Resolution’’; 
Whereas dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability that spe-
cifically impairs a person’s ability to read; 
Whereas a specific learning disability is a brain-based genetic 
characteristic that results in the imperfect ability to lis-
ten, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical 
calculations, and often impacts overall school success; 
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•HRES 623 IH 
Whereas dyslexia is a specific learning disability; 
Whereas common characteristics among people with dyslexia 
include difficulty with phonological processing, spelling, 
and rapid visual-verbal responding; 
Whereas an estimated 10 percent of individuals have some 
form of dyslexia; 
Whereas dyslexia is more common in boys than in girls; 
Whereas specific learning disabilities are highly prevalent yet 
1 in 20 public school students are identified with them; 
Whereas learning and attention issues often affect students 
who have a weakness in a specific skill area, but it is im-
portant to recognize that these students have strengths 
in higher-level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, 
critical thinking, concept formation, and problem-solving; 
Whereas dyslexia can be inherited, and recent studies have 
identified a number of genes that may predispose an indi-
vidual to developing dyslexia; 
Whereas treatment for dyslexia should include modifying 
teaching methods and the educational environment to 
meet the specific needs of the individual with dyslexia; 
Whereas dyslexia affects a wide range of people and produces 
different symptoms at varying degrees of severity so pre-
dictions are hard to make; 
Whereas the prognosis for individuals with dyslexia is gen-
erally good for individuals whose dyslexia is identified 
early, who have supportive family and friends and a 
strong self-image, and who are involved in a proper reme-
diation program; 
Whereas current research avenues focus on developing tech-
niques to diagnose and treat dyslexia and other learning 
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•HRES 623 IH 
disabilities, increasing the understanding of the biological 
and possible genetic bases of learning disabilities, and ex-
ploring the relationship between neurophysiological proc-
esses and cognitive functions with regard to reading abil-
ity and learning; 
Whereas great progress has been made in understanding 
learning and attention deficient issues at a scientific 
level, 
including 
their 
epidemiology, 
cognitive 
and 
neurobiological bases, and in the use of assistive tech-
nology to improve access to learning; 
Whereas early identification of learning and attention issues 
is critical and must lead to focused, evidenced-based 
interventions, necessary accommodations, self-awareness, 
self-empowerment, and school and life success; and 
Whereas enforcing existing Federal civil rights and education 
law on this matter will improve access to learning for all: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the importance of conducting re-
search, education, and awareness on dyslexia and 
other specific learning disabilities; 
(2) recognizes that all people of the United 
States should become more informed about and 
aware of dyslexia and other specific learning disabil-
ities; 
(3) recognizes the importance of acknowledging 
the struggles and successes of those, like Sydney 
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