Bill Text: TX HCR12 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HCR12 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HCR12-Introduced.html
| 89R4484 TBO-D | ||
| By: Leo Wilson | H.C.R. No. 12 | |
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| 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. | ||
