Bill Text: PA HR647 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating March 3, 2010, as "Spread the Word to End the Word Day" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 21-13)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-23 - Adopted [HR647 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR647-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 3249
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 647 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY SWANGER, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, DeWEESE, DiGIROLAMO, FLECK, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MELIO, MILLARD, MURT, O'NEILL, PICKETT, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROSS, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SONNEY, TRUE, VULAKOVICH AND WATERS, MARCH 2, 2010
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 2, 2010
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 3, 2010, as "Spread the Word to End the Word
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Individuals with mental retardation and other
intellectual and developmental disabilities have unique gifts
and talents to share with their families, friends and
communities; and
WHEREAS, People with intellectual and developmental
disabilities enjoy sharing life experiences, such as listening
to music, playing video games, watching the latest movies and
having fun, as well as working together toward athletic
excellence, mutually enriching one-to-one friendships and
contributing to society in many ways; and
WHEREAS, Up to 3% of the world's population, 200 million
people, have intellectual disabilities, the largest disability
population in the world; and
WHEREAS, The demeaning use of the words "retard" or
"retarded," also known as the "R-words," are common taunts used
to make fun of others, with the word often unwittingly used to
denote behavior that is clumsy, hapless and even hopeless, but
whether intentional or not, the word conjures up a painful
stereotype of people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians can help eliminate the demeaning use
of these words from today's popular youth vernacular, creating a
more accepting world for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and recognizing that these
individuals have unique gifts and talents to share; and
WHEREAS, Young people can raise awareness of the dehumanizing
and hurtful effects of the words "retard" or "retarded," also
known as the "R-words," encouraging others to think before they
speak; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
3, 2010, as "Spread the Word to End the Word Day" in
Pennsylvania and encourage all citizens to work within their
communities to eliminate the use of "retard" and "retarded" and
increase awareness, understanding and respect for individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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