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 ‘‘Na-
tional 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 implica-
tions 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 bet-
ter reader; and 
(2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phono-
logical 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 dys-
lexia 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 dys-
lexia 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 dys-
lexia 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 re-
ceive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to 
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fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self- 
empowerment, and the provision of necessary accom-
modations that ensure success in school and in life; and 
Whereas, October 2019 is an appropriate month to designate 
as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and 
local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia 
has significant educational implications that must be 
addressed; and 
(2) supports the designation of ‘‘National Dys-
lexia Awareness Month’’. 
Æ 
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