Better Hearing & Speech Month

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas  An estimated 42 million Americans have some type of communication disorder with economic costs exceeding $30 billion due to lost work productivity, special education and medical treatment; and

Whereas Types of communication disorders include hearing loss, difficulty with swallowing or balance, stuttering, delayed language and voice problems; and  

Whereas Those with a communication disorder may have difficulty learning and interacting with others; and

Whereas We recognize the efforts of all licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists throughout our nation who work to help those individuals with communication disorders to lead independent, productive and fulfilling lives; and

Whereas Through public awareness, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks to minimize the effects of communication disorders among Massachusetts citizens,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 2012, to be

Better Hearing & Speech Month

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, eighth day of May, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
               By His Excellency                  

Deval L. Patrick                   
Govenor of the Commonwealth

William Francis Galvin              
Secretary of the Commonwealth

    
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts