S.Res. 396 — Agreed to in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 396 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 25, 2014 Mr. Isakson (for himself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating March 25, 2014, as National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Whereas the term ‘‘cerebral palsy’’ refers to a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occur in the developing brain; Whereas cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability in children, is caused by damage to 1 or more specific areas of the developing brain, which usually occurs during fetal development, before, during, or after birth; Whereas the majority of children who have cerebral palsy are born with the disorder, although cerebral palsy may remain undetected for months or years; Whereas individuals with cerebral palsy also have at least 1 co-occurring condition, with 41 percent of such individuals having co-occurring epilepsy and nearly 7 percent having co-occurring autism spectrum disorder; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released information indicating that cerebral palsy is not decreasing in prevalence and that an estimated 1 in 323 children has cerebral palsy; Whereas approximately 800,000 people in the United States are affected by cerebral palsy; Whereas although there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy, treatment often improves the capabilities of a child with cerebral palsy; Whereas scientists and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs in cerebral palsy research will be forthcoming; Whereas researchers across the United States 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 about cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate— (1) designates March 25, 2014, as National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day; (2) encourages all people of the United States to 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.