Down Syndrome Awareness Month

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

Whereas Down Syndrome is a genetic difference occurring in about one of 700 live births; and

Whereas Down Syndrome is caused by an extra 21st chromosome, resulting in a person having three copies instead of two copies of this chromosome; and

Whereas  Most children born with Down Syndrome will experience delay in physical, cognitive and language development and individuals with Down Syndrome vary in their mental and physical abilities; and

Whereas Today with loving homes, available therapies, advanced medical care, better early education and greater social acceptance, people with Down Syndrome live full and productive lives; and

Whereas  Through the efforts of the Massachusetts Down syndrome Congress, agencies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, professionals, family members and self-advocates, individuals with Down syndrome are leading rewarding and meaningful lives and their families are receiving needed support and information; and

Whereas Through public awareness, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks to ensure that individuals with Down Syndrome are valued, included and live fulfilling lives within the community,

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

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS 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, this seventeenth day of September, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

By His Excellency                 

Deval L. Patrick                      
Governor of the Commonwealth         

William Francis Galvin              
Secretary of the Commonwealth  

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts