A resolution calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2019 as "National Dyslexia Awareness Month".

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 389 Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2019 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 30, 2019 Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. GRAHAM, Mrs. CAPITO, Mr. MURPHY, Ms. WARREN, and Mr. KING) submitted the following resolu- tion; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implica- tions of dyslexia that must be addressed, and designating October 2019 as ‘‘National Dyslexia Awareness Month’’. Whereas dyslexia is— (1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much bet- ter reader; and (2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phono- logical processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, spell, and, often, the ability to learn a second language; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:21 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR389.ATS SR389 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 389 ATS Whereas, the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–391; 132 Stat. 5194) included a definition of dyslexia as part of the requirement of the Act to screen inmates for dys- lexia upon intake in Federal prisons; Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–391; 132 Stat. 5195), is the first and only definition of dyslexia in a Federal statute; Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning disability; Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out of every 5 individuals; Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dys- lexia may have both— (1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties in accurate or fluent word recognition; and (2) strengths in higher-level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving; Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dys- lexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia; Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade; and Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for ensuring that individuals with dyslexia re- ceive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self- empowerment, and the provision of necessary accom- VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:21 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR389.ATS SR389 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 389 ATS modations that ensure success in school and in life: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and 2 local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia 3 has significant educational implications that must be 4 addressed; and 5 (2) designates October 2019 as ‘‘National Dys- 6 lexia Awareness Month’’. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:21 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR389.ATS SR389 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS