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.