Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 99

Introduced by Senators Beall and Steinberg

(Coauthors: Senators Block, Correa, De León, Fuller, Gaines, Huff, Lara, Leno, Padilla, Pavley, and Wolk)

March 10, 2014

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 99—Relative to Autism Awareness Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 99, as introduced, Beall.

This measure would designate April 2014 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.

Fiscal committee: no.

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 88
children nationally, and one in 54 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 April 2014 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.