HR0257LRB102 18217 ECR 25848 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the National Association
4of Down Syndrome on the 60th anniversary of its founding; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome (NADS)
6was founded in Chicago in 1961 by Kay McGee; she chose to go
7against medical advice at the time and raise her child with
8Down syndrome at home; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome is now
10the oldest organization in the country serving individuals
11with Down syndrome and their families; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome has a
13simple mission of supporting people of all ages with Down
14syndrome in achieving their full potential; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Over the last 60 years of fulfilling that
16mission, the National Association of Down Syndrome has
17provided families with members who have Down syndrome with
18information and resources to enable them to access and
19evaluate appropriate services, has educated the public about
20Down syndrome, has addressed social policy issues and
21challenges facing the Down syndrome community, and has

 

 

HR0257- 2 -LRB102 18217 ECR 25848 r

1facilitated and encouraged active participation by
2self-advocates and families in the delivery of education,
3vocational, residential, and other services for persons with
4Down syndrome; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome offers
6a plethora of services, including parent support, resource
7referrals, public awareness, a self-advocate program, and More
8Than Down Syndrome Retreats; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome was on
10the frontlines of advocating for the passing of the
11Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1975; to this
12day, NADS is still fighting for more inclusive classrooms to
13create a brighter future for children with Down syndrome; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome has
15also worked to meet the needs of adults with Down syndrome by
16providing fellowships, work experience programs, and adult
17mentoring programs; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The National Association of Down Syndrome has
19always been interested in Down syndrome research; they have
20been at the forefront of research regarding many topics,
21including multiple studies of the hearts of both adults and
22children with Down syndrome; and
 

 

 

HR0257- 3 -LRB102 18217 ECR 25848 r

1    WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate and recognize the
2milestones achieved, the growth, the progress, the
3perseverance, the achievements, the accomplishments, and, most
4importantly, the workers and families who have dedicated their
5lives to help the children and adults across the country who
6have Down syndrome; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9we congratulate the National Association of Down Syndrome on
10its 60th anniversary, and it is with deep and sincere
11gratitude and heartfelt appreciation that we hereby
12congratulate the past and present Board of Trustees and staff
13as well as all who have helped the growth of the National
14Association of Down Syndrome; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the National Association of Down Syndrome on June
1711th, 2021 at their celebration of the 60th anniversary as a
18symbol of our esteem and gratitude.