Bill Text: CA ACR152 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 152 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Dwarfism Awareness Month.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-08-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 79, Statutes of 2012. [ACR152 Detail]

Download: California-2011-ACR152-Chaptered.html

BILL NUMBER: ACR 152	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  79
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 16, 2012
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 9, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 5, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huffman

                        MAY 3, 2012

   Relative to Dwarfism Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 152, Huffman. Dwarfism Awareness Month.
   This measure would declare the month of October 2012 as Dwarfism
Awareness Month.



   WHEREAS, Dwarfism is considered to be a rare medical condition,
with an estimated 3,500 people with dwarfism residing in the State of
California, over 30,000 people in the United States, and over
650,000 in the world with a type of dwarfism; and
   WHEREAS, Dwarfism affects bone growth, but generally does not
affect cognitive abilities. The typical height range for people with
dwarfism is 2 feet 8 inches to 4 feet 5 inches; and
   WHEREAS, About eighty percent of people with dwarfism have
average-height parents and siblings, and there are over 250 distinct
forms of dwarfism. The most prevalent types are Achondroplasia,
Diastrophic Dysplasia, Pseudoachondroplasia, Spondyloepiphyseal
dysplasia congenita (SEDc), and Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH); and
   WHEREAS, Dwarfism is a recognized condition under the federal
Americans with Disabilities Act; and
   WHEREAS, The medical prognosis for people with dwarfism varies
from condition to condition, and with the severity of that condition
in each individual. However, the majority of people with dwarfism
enjoy normal intelligence, normal life spans, and reasonably good
health. Many will require surgeries or other medical interventions to
address complications and maximize mobility; and
   WHEREAS, The term "midget" is antiquated and is considered
offensive to most people with dwarfism; and
   WHEREAS, The preferred terminology for someone with dwarfism is
"person of short stature," "having dwarfism," or "little person"; and

   WHEREAS, People with dwarfism can turn to support organizations
such as the Little People of America (LPA) for guidance on parenting,
adoption, education, medical consultation, physical fitness, peer
support, community outreach, and advocacy; and
   WHEREAS, LPA is the nation's oldest and largest support
organization for people with dwarfism and is headquartered in Orange
County, California; and
   WHEREAS, LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for
people with dwarfism, while celebrating with great pride their
contributions to social diversity; and
   WHEREAS, People with dwarfism contribute to the strength of
California's economy by being productive members of the workforce,
representing numerous careers and professions; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares the month of
October 2012 as Dwarfism Awareness Month, in order to raise public
awareness about people with dwarfism and their contributions to the
State of California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.