Bill Text: NY K00663 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2022, as Down Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2022-03-21 - adopted [K00663 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00663-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 663

BY: M. of A. Walsh

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        March 21, 2022, as Down Syndrome  Awareness  Day  in
        the  State  of  New  York,  in  conjunction with the
        observance of World Down Syndrome Day

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of common genetic
variations that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim March 21, 2022, as Down
Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Down Syndrome Day; and

  WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition affecting  the  body's
development  caused  by the presence of three copies of chromosome 21 in
the cell nucleus, and is also called Trisomy 21; there are an  estimated
seven million people with Down syndrome worldwide; and

  WHEREAS,  One  in  every  691  babies  born in the United States are
diagnosed with Down syndrome, making it the most common genetic disorder
in the nation; approximately 400,000 Americans have  Down  syndrome  and
about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States each
year; and

  WHEREAS,  While once extremely fatal, advances in medical technology
are helping individuals with Down syndrome  to  live  longer,  healthier
lives  than  ever  before;  with  proper  treatment,  most  particularly
corrective heart surgeries, as many as 80% of adults with Down  syndrome
will reach age 60 or older; and

  WHEREAS,  Down  Syndrome  International will be celebrating the 17th
Anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day  on  March  21,  2022;  the  date
(3/21)  was  chosen  to represent the scientific basis of the condition,
Trisomy 21; and

  WHEREAS, World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has
been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012; each year the
voice of people with Down syndrome and those  who  live  and  work  with
them, grows louder, but there is still so much more to be done; and

  WHEREAS,  More and more New Yorkers are interacting with individuals
with Down syndrome, increasing the need for widespread public  education
and acceptance; and

  WHEREAS,  People with Down syndrome in the State of New York possess
a wide range of abilities, and are active participants  in  educational,
occupational, social, and recreational circles of the community; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
inherent dignity, worth and valuable contributions of persons with  Down
syndrome   as   promoters   of  the  well-being  and  diversity  of  our

communities,  and  the  importance  of  their  individual  autonomy  and
independence,  including  the  freedom  to  make their own choices; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 21,  2022,  as  Down
Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Down Syndrome Day; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.