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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, There are an estimated 3,500 people with dwarfism
3residing in the State of Illinois, averaging one per every
410,000 births, over 30,000 people in the United States, and
5over 650,000 in the world; and
 
6    WHEREAS, There are over 200 distinct types of dwarfism or
7skeletal dysplasia; the most common type of dwarfism,
8achondroplasia, restricts the growth of the arms and legs; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Over 80% of people with dwarfism have
10average-height parents, siblings, and children; and
 
11    WHEREAS, It is very rare to have any type of mental
12impairment associated with dwarfism; and
 
13    WHEREAS, People with dwarfism contribute to the strength of
14the economy in Illinois by being productive members of the
15workforce, representing all careers and professions; and
 
16    WHEREAS, People with dwarfism are able to function as well
17in society as average-height people and are perfectly capable
18of riding bikes, playing sports, driving cars, traveling, and
19having fulfilling careers and families - all with simple and
20reasonable accommodations; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The preferred terminology for someone with
2dwarfism is "short stature", "having dwarfism", "little
3person", or "dwarf"; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The term "midget" is antiquated and is considered
5offensive to most people with dwarfism; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Little People of America (LPA) is the nation's
7oldest and largest organization for people with dwarfism; the
8organization is celebrating its 55th anniversary year in 2012
9and is headquartered in Tustin, California; and
 
10    WHEREAS, LPA was founded by the late actor Billy Barty, who
11during his over 70-year career appeared in more than 100 films
12and television shows, and was a long time resident of Burbank,
13California; and
 
14    WHEREAS, LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life
15for people with dwarfism throughout their lives, while
16celebrating with great pride their contribution to social
17diversity; and
 
18    WHEREAS, LPA provides support on numerous issues,
19including parenting, adoption assistance, educational
20scholarships, medical knowledge and access to specialists in

 

 

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1dwarfism, peer support, community outreach, and issues
2advocacy; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The need and support that LPA provides to people
4with dwarfism is demonstrated by LPA's rapid growth from 20
5members in 1957 to more than 6,500 members in 2012; and
 
6    WHEREAS, LPA is the only dwarfism support organization that
7represents all 200 forms of dwarfism and welcomes family
8members and people with dwarfism alike; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we designate the month of October of 2012 as "Dwarfism
12Awareness Month" in the State of Illinois in order to raise
13public awareness about people with dwarfism and the
14contributions of Little People of America and in recognition of
15the organization's 55 years of service to the State of Illinois
16and the world at large; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to Little People of America as a symbol of our
19respect and esteem.