Title: Expressing support for the recognition of October 2022 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 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1424 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1424

 Expressing support for the recognition of October 2022 as ``National 
                      Dyslexia Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 4, 2022

Mr. Westerman (for himself, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Bucshon, 
    Ms. DelBene, and Mr. Carter of Georgia) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the recognition of October 2022 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 2022 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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