HCR12 - Designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

      H.C.R. No. 12       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, The designation of September as Deaf Awareness Month   serves as a fitting means to promote better understanding and to   encourage greater support of individuals who are deaf or hard of   hearing; and          WHEREAS, The International Day of the Deaf was first   celebrated in 1958, and it later expanded to become a weeklong   commemoration of the first World Congress of the World Federation   of the Deaf, which took place in Rome in September 1951; Deaf   Awareness Month was established in 1996 through the efforts of the   National Association of the Deaf; in the years since, deaf and hard   of hearing communities across the United States have marked the   occasion by celebrating the essential role that its members play in   society and by focusing attention on their experiences and   achievements; and          WHEREAS, Texas is home to millions of individuals from   diverse backgrounds who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the members   of this unique cultural group share a rich and colorful history as   well as deep social connections; they often communicate through   visual methods, such as American Sign Language, written   communication, and lipreading, and they may use technologies such   as hearing aids, cochlear implants, video relay services, and   closed captions; and          WHEREAS, Government agencies such as the Texas Health and   Human Services Commission offer a variety of programs to support   citizens of all ages who are deaf or hard of hearing, including   communication services for events, educational initiatives,   interpreter training and certification, telecommunications   assistance, and tuition waivers; moreover, advocates for the deaf   and hard of hearing community are working to expand access to vital   resources and assistance and are dedicated to reducing stigma   related to deafness and hearing loss; and          WHEREAS, Deaf Awareness Month provides a welcome opportunity   to educate the public about issues that impact Texans who are deaf   or hard of hearing and to celebrate the many contributions they have   made to the vibrancy and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now,   therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby designate September as Deaf Awareness Month; and, be it   further          RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of   Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in   effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is   finally passed by the legislature.     Leo Wilson   Flores       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.C.R. No. 12 was adopted by the House on May   1, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 138, Nays 2, 3 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.C.R. No. 12 was adopted by the Senate on May   9, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor