PRINTER'S NO. 1326
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
281
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MOUL, READSHAW, QUIGLEY, CALTAGIRONE, SCHLOSSBERG,
STAATS, MACKENZIE, ROZZI, PICKETT, HEFFLEY, DAVIS, HENNESSEY,
SCHWEYER, KAUFFMAN, SONNEY, DUSH, KINSEY, KILLION, McCARTER,
BOBACK, COHEN, THOMAS, GRELL, YOUNGBLOOD, WATSON, TALLMAN,
MILLARD, LONGIETTI, VEREB, O'NEILL, WHEELAND, DONATUCCI,
BAKER, DiGIROLAMO, BROWNLEE, KNOWLES, A. HARRIS, RAPP,
STURLA, GOODMAN, WARD, MURT, PAYNE, ROSS, MAHONEY, DeLUCA,
HARHAI, MARSICO, FARINA, SABATINA, GINGRICH, KIRKLAND, MAJOR
AND D. COSTA, APRIL 21, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 21, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 15 through June 15, 2015, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, An estimated 3 in every 1,000 children between 6 and
17 years of age in the United States and this Commonwealth are
diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, a neurobiological, genetic
condition which has no cure; and
WHEREAS, Tourette syndrome is a lifelong developmental
disability that begins before a child reaches 18 years of age
and affects children and adults of all races and ethnicities;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are affected by
tics which are involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or
vocalizations that occur repeatedly; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome face periodic
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changes in the nature and severity of their tics, as these
symptoms wax and wane and change without forewarning; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome frequently have
co-occurring conditions that further complicate their care and
diagnosis, including attention deficit disorder, attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
mood disorders, learning disabilities, handwriting difficulties,
executive function disorder and sensory processing disorder; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are frequently
misunderstood by their families, educators, the community and
even by medical professionals due to their ever-changing
symptoms, which at times seem controllable; and
WHEREAS, Tourette syndrome has historically been
misinterpreted and considered to be a condition of emotional
disturbance instead of chemical biology; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are often teased
and not accepted by their peers and the general public; and
WHEREAS, Children with Tourette syndrome are often
disciplined for manifestations of their disability by educators
who fail to understand that the child is unable to control his
or her tics and that the child may be delayed in his or her
maturity and emotional responses; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome face
discrimination from educators, friends, family, employers,
coworkers and the judicial system while dealing with their
unpredictable disorder and uncertain future; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with Tourette syndrome are often very
intelligent and capable of great contributions to society when
given the proper support; and
WHEREAS, Employers are required under the Americans with
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Disabilities Act to disregard disability when hiring or
promoting and to make accommodations to support their employees
with Tourette syndrome so the employees can be successful in the
workplace and not be forced to file for disability; and
WHEREAS, Employers can benefit from that success, but many
employers often neglect to hire, promote and make these
accommodations for individuals with Tourette syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, Inc.,
has been established to promote awareness and provide support
and advocacy for individuals with Tourette syndrome in this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Understanding this disorder will help guarantee hope
for acceptance and a better future for people with Tourette
syndrome; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
needs of these individuals with neurological impairment and
recognize May 15 through June 15, 2015, as "Tourette Syndrome
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge all residents to
support the need for Tourette syndrome awareness and education
in order to assist those individuals and families who deal with
this neurobiological disorder every day of their lives.
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