IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 285 
Expressing support for designation of June 2011 as ‘‘National Aphasia 
Awareness Month’’ and supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 26, 2011 
Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Mr. DOYLE) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of June 2011 as ‘‘Na-
tional Aphasia Awareness Month’’ and supporting efforts 
to increase awareness of aphasia. 
Whereas aphasia is a communication impairment caused by 
brain damage that typically results from a stroke; 
Whereas aphasia can also occur with other neurological dis-
orders, such as a brain tumor; 
Whereas many people with aphasia also have weakness or pa-
ralysis in the right leg and right arm, usually due to 
damage to the left hemisphere of the brain, which con-
trols language and movement on the right side of the 
body; 
Whereas the effects of aphasia may include a loss of, or re-
duction in, the ability to speak, comprehend, read, and 
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•HRES 285 IH 
write, but the intelligence of a person with aphasia re-
mains intact; 
Whereas according to the National Institute of Neurological 
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), stroke is the third lead-
ing cause of death in the United States, ranking behind 
heart disease and cancer; 
Whereas stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term dis-
ability in the United States; 
Whereas the NINDS estimates that there are approximately 
5,000,000 stroke survivors in the United States; 
Whereas the NINDS estimates that people in the United 
States suffer approximately 750,000 strokes per year, 
with about 1⁄3 of the strokes resulting in aphasia; 
Whereas according to the NINDS, aphasia affects at least 
1,000,000 people in the United States; 
Whereas the NINDS estimates that more than 200,000 peo-
ple in the United States acquire aphasia each year; 
Whereas the National Aphasia Association is a unique orga-
nization that strives to promote public education, re-
search, rehabilitation, and support services for the gen-
eral public, people with aphasia, and aphasia caregivers 
throughout the United States; 
Whereas as an advocacy organization for people with aphasia 
and their caregivers, the National Aphasia Association 
envisions a world that recognizes the ‘‘silent’’ disability of 
aphasia and provides opportunity and fulfillment for peo-
ple affected by aphasia; and 
Whereas June 2011 would be an appropriate month to des-
ignate as ‘‘National Aphasia Awareness Month’’: Now, 
therefore, be it 
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•HRES 285 IH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Apha-
sia Awareness Month’’; 
(2) supports efforts to increase awareness of 
aphasia; 
(3) recognizes that strokes, a primary cause of 
aphasia, are the third largest cause of death and dis-
ability in the United States; 
(4) acknowledges that aphasia deserves more 
attention and study to find new solutions for individ-
uals experiencing aphasia and their caregivers; 
(5) supports efforts to make the voices of peo-
ple with aphasia heard, because people with aphasia 
are often unable to communicate with others; and 
(6) encourages all people in the United States 
to observe National Aphasia Awareness Month with 
appropriate events and activities. 
Æ 
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