SCR 122, Beall. Autism Awareness Month.
This measure would designate the month of April 2016 as Autism Awareness Month and would encourage residents to show support for autism awareness by lighting their homes, businesses, schools, and places of worship with blue light bulbs.
WHEREAS, Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting the social, communication, and behavioral skills of those affected by it; and
WHEREAS, More children are being diagnosed on the autism spectrum than ever before with diagnoses as high as one in 68 children nationally, and one in 42 boys; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure for autism, but it is well-documented that if individuals with autism receive treatment early in their lives, it is often possible for those individuals to lead significantly improved lives; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with autism often require a lifetime of specialized and community support services to ensure their health and safety, and to support families’ resilience as they manage the psychological and financial burdens autism presents; and
WHEREAS, Autism Speaks and autism services providers throughout the state are organizing the Light It Up Blue campaign and Autism Awareness Day in order to educate parents, professionals, and the general public about autism and its impact; and
WHEREAS, In support of the Light It Up Blue campaign, nearly 3,000 iconic structures and landmarks, including the Empire State Building in New York City and the Sydney Opera House in Australia, in more than 600 United States cities and 70 countries will shine a light on autism as a growing public health crisis by being illuminated with blue light; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of April 2016 as Autism Awareness Month and encourages residents to show support for autism awareness by lighting their homes, businesses, schools, and places of worship with blue light bulbs during the month of April; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
97