Expressing support for the recognition of October 2021 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".

Bill: 117-hres-729
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
Introduced: 2021-10-20
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Elementary and secondary education

Neurological disorders

Special education
Latest action: action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-10-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: IV 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 729 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 20, 2021 Mr. Westerman (for himself, Ms. Brownley , Mr. Carter of Georgia , Ms. Wasserman Schultz , Mr. Griffith , Ms. Houlahan , Mr. Hill , Mr. Moulton , Mr. Bucshon , Ms. Kuster , Mr. Graves of Louisiana , Mr. Yarmuth , Mr. Palazzo , Ms. DelBene , Mr. McKinley , Mr. Swalwell , Mr. Fitzpatrick , and Mr. Kilmer ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Expressing support for the recognition of October 2021 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 2021 is an appropriate month to designate as National Dyslexia Awareness Month : Now, therefore, be it

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 .