2019 -- S 0878

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LC002461

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY AS "BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH" IN THE STATE

OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Ruggerio, Algiere, Lombardi, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: May 16, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, People seldom talk about hearing and speech problems, but hearing,

language, voice, and speech disorders are serious, treatable conditions that affect an estimated 40

million Americans; and

     WHEREAS, Hearing, language, and speech disorders take many forms: babies can be

born with these disorders, or an accidental injury or illness can cause them at any age. Whatever

their cause, hearing, language, and speech disorders have serious consequences; and

     WHEREAS, Hearing, language, and speech disorders can limit academic achievement,

social adjustment, and career advancement; and

     WHEREAS, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are the professionals who

treat all types of hearing, language, speech, and related disorders; and

     WHEREAS, Hearing, language, speech, and related disorders make it difficult for people

to express themselves or to understand the spoken or written word. Anyone of any age can have a

communication disorder. Hearing, language, and speech disorders are everybody's problem; and

     WHEREAS, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists work in schools, private

practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings. They enable and empower

individuals with communication disorders to lead independent, productive, and fulfilling lives;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims May to be "Better Hearing and Speech Month" in the State of Rhode Island. We

urge the Department of Human Services to conduct hearing screenings and other special events to

remind everyone that now is the best time to listen to sound advice about hearing. We urge the

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to encourage teachers, hearing and speech

specialists, principals, supervisors, and all the citizens of this state to participate in this month-

long campaign acknowledging the great strides and invaluable services provided by these

dedicated teachers and specialists, and to raise public awareness of hearing, language, and speech

disorders; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Human Services, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of

Rhode Island, and the President of the Rhode Island Speech and Language Association.

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