Title: 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".
Policy area: Education

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of National Dyslexia Awareness Month, and calls on Congress, schools, and educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 653 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 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 fluent reading, the promotion of self-
        awareness and self-empowerment, 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
    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 Dyslexia 
        Awareness Month''.
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