| R 328 |
| 2023 -- S 1025 Enacted 05/18/2023 |
| 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, F. Lombardi, Ujifusa, Tikoian, Gu, Felag, Cano, Zurier, Lauria, and Sosnowski |
| Date Introduced: May 18, 2023 |
| WHEREAS, People seldom talk about hearing and speech problems, but hearing, |
| language, voice, and speech disorders are serious, treatable conditions that affect an estimated 48 |
| 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 hereby proclaims May to be |
| "Better Hearing and Speech Month" in the State of Rhode Island, and urges 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 furthermore 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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| LC000873 |
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