HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29

(By Delegates Campbell, P. Smith, Rodighiero, Westfall,

                        Summers, Moore, Moffatt, Sobonya, Householder, Kelly and Azinger)

Designating April 2 as West Virginia Autism Awareness Day.

            Whereas, The seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2015. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fund-raising and awareness-raising events. World Autism Awareness Day aims to increase awareness about people, especially children, with autism. The day often features educational events for teachers, health care workers and parents, as well as exhibitions showcasing work created by children with autism; and

            Whereas, Autism is a developmental disability that remains with a person for his or her whole life. This condition affects the brain's functions. The first signs usually appear before a child is three years old. People with autism often find social interaction difficult, have problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, demonstrate restrictive and repetitive behavior and have a limited set of interests and activities. Autism affects girls and boys of all races and in all geographic regions and has a large impact on children, their families, communities and societies. The prevalence is currently rising in many countries around the world. Caring for and educating children and young people with this condition places challenges on health care, education and training programs; and

            Whereas, Public health officials estimate that one in every eighty-eight children in America is growing up on the autism spectrum. It is a reality that affects millions of families every day, from the classroom to the job market. On World Autism Awareness Day, all people recommit to helping individuals on the autism spectrum reach their full potential; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That it is the hope and desire of the Legislature that West Virginians increase their awareness about people, especially children, with autism and, with that goal in mind, April 2 be designated as West Virginia Autism Awareness Day; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to The Autism Society of West Virginia.