Bill Text: NJ AJR138 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates 22nd day in October of each year as "Stuttering Awareness Day" and second full week in May of each year as "Stuttering Awareness Week."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [AJR138 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR138-Introduced.html
No. 138
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Designates 22nd day in October of each year as "Stuttering Awareness Day" and second full week in May each year as "Stuttering Awareness Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating October 22nd as "New Jersey Stuttering Awareness Day" and the second full week of May as "New Jersey Stuttering Awareness Week."
Whereas, Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetition of sounds, syllables, or words, prolongation of sounds, and interruptions in speech; and
Whereas, It is estimated about one percent of the world's population stutters and roughly three million Americans stutter; and
Whereas, Children often begin to experience signs of stuttering between the ages of two and five and children who stutter are more likely to experience negative social and educational outcomes than their peers who do not stutter; and
Whereas, When stuttering continues into adulthood, a person may have difficulty communicating with other people and stuttering may affect a person's quality of life, interpersonal relationship, job opportunities, and professional growth; and
Whereas, There is currently no cure for stuttering, but there are a variety of treatments available to people who stutter which can assist a person with the difficulties associated with stuttering; and
Whereas, Early intervention of stuttering is generally more effective than waiting until a child is older and many schools have resources; and
Whereas, Organizations dedicated to bringing hope and empowerment to children and adults who stutter through support, education, advocacy, and research, have locations in New Jersey; and
Whereas, President Joe Biden is an example of an individual who was able to overcome the difficulties associated with stuttering to achieve great personal and professional success; and
Whereas, "International Stuttering Awareness Day" is celebrated on October 22nd and "National Stuttering Awareness Week" is the second week of May and educate the public about stuttering; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The 22nd day of October of each year is designated as "Stuttering Awareness Day" in New Jersey to promote awareness of the array of support and treatment services available to individuals who stutter.
b. The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public
officials and citizens of this State to observe "Stuttering Awareness Day" with
appropriate activities and programs
2. a. The second full week in May of each year is designated "Stuttering Awareness Week" in New Jersey to promote awareness of the array of support and treatment services available to individuals who stutter.
b. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Stuttering Awareness Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the 22nd day of October of each year as "Stuttering Awareness Day" and the second full week of each year in May as "Stuttering Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This day and week will promote the available help available to those who stutter and raise awareness of the disfluencies associated with a stutter. In observation of the day and week, the State will also account for the ways that stuttering affects the speakers' life and inform the public on how to become an ally to those who feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by a stutter. Observation of the day and week will act as the platform to remind the community about available resources to assist people with stutters and more importantly, that help is always available for anyone who wants it.
This joint resolution promotes the support, education, and advocacy for people who stutter, the family member of a person who stutters, and any ally to a person who stutters.
