110TH CONGRESS-2D SESSION 

S. RES. 484 Designating March 25, 2008, as ‘‘National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day’’

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES - MARCH 13, 2008: Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. CASEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary                                         RESOLUTION: Designating March 25, 2008, as ‘‘National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day’’.

Whereas cerebral palsy is any number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and the muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture;

Whereas cerebral palsy is caused by damage to 1 or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development, before, during, or shortly after birth, or during infancy;

Whereas the majority of children are born with cerebral palsy, although it may not be detected until months or years later;

Whereas 75 percent of individuals with cerebral palsy also have 1 or more additional developmental disabilities including epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism and visual impairments, or blindness;

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released information indicating an increase in the prevalence of cerebral palsy and that the rate is now about 1 in 278 children;

Whereas 800,000 Americans are affected by cerebral palsy;

Whereas, while there is no current cure for cerebral palsy, some treatment will often improve a child’s capabilities and scientists and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs will be forthcoming;

Whereas researchers across the Nation are conducting important research projects involving cerebral palsy; and

Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness in the general public and the medical community of cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates March 25, 2008, as ‘‘National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day’’;                                                                   (2) recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of cerebral palsy; and                                                                                                                                                                                (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to Reaching for the Stars: A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy.