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| | HR0821 | | LRB099 14597 MST 38734 r |
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| 1 | | HOUSE RESOLUTION
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| 2 | | WHEREAS, In October of 2015, the National Down Syndrome |
| 3 | | Society (NDSS) will be celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness |
| 4 | | Month; and
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| 5 | | WHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full |
| 6 | | or partial extra copy of chromosome 21; this additional genetic |
| 7 | | material alters the course of development and causes the |
| 8 | | characteristics typically associated with Down syndrome; and
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| 9 | | WHEREAS, One in every 691 babies in the United States is |
| 10 | | born with Down syndrome, making it the most common genetic |
| 11 | | condition; approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome |
| 12 | | and about 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the |
| 13 | | United States each year; and
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| 14 | | WHEREAS, Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and |
| 15 | | economic levels; and
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| 16 | | WHEREAS, The cause of the extra full or partial chromosome |
| 17 | | is still unknown; maternal age is the only factor that has been |
| 18 | | linked to an increased chance of having a baby with Down |
| 19 | | syndrome; and
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| 20 | | WHEREAS, People with Down syndrome have an increased risk |
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| | HR0821 | - 2 - | LRB099 14597 MST 38734 r |
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| 1 | | for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart |
| 2 | | defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's |
| 3 | | disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions; many of |
| 4 | | these conditions are now treatable, so many people with Down |
| 5 | | syndrome lead healthy lives; life expectancy for people with |
| 6 | | Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - |
| 7 | | from 25 in 1983 to 60 today; and
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| 8 | | WHEREAS, People with Down syndrome attend school, work, |
| 9 | | participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to |
| 10 | | society in many wonderful ways; and
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| 11 | | WHEREAS, Quality educational programs, a stimulating home |
| 12 | | environment, good health care, and positive support from |
| 13 | | family, friends, and the community enable people with Down |
| 14 | | syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling |
| 15 | | lives; therefore, be it
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| 16 | | RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE |
| 17 | | NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we |
| 18 | | recognize the National Down Syndrome Society's October 2015 |
| 19 | | celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month; and be it further
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| 20 | | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be |
| 21 | | presented to the NDSS as a symbol of our respect and esteem.
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