119-hres821

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 821 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 821

 Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as ``National 
 Dyslexia Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 October 17, 2025

 Mr. Westerman (for himself, Mr. Bean of Florida, Ms. DelBene, Ms. 
 Brownley, Mrs. Houchin, and Mr. Lawler) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
 Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as ``National 
 Dyslexia Awareness Month''.

Whereas dyslexia is--

    (1) defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual 
who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and

    (2) most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing 
(the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which 
affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell;

Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-391; 132 Stat. 5194) included 
 a definition of dyslexia as part of the requirement of the Act to screen 
 inmates for dyslexia upon intake in Federal prisons;
Whereas the definition of dyslexia in 

section 3635 of title 18, United States 
 Code, as added by 

section 101

    (a) of the First Step Act of 2018 (Public 
 Law 115-391; 132 Stat. 5195), is the first and only definition of 
 dyslexia in a Federal statute;
Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 
 percent of all individuals with a learning disability;
Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out 
 of every 5 individuals;
Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dyslexia may have 
 both--

    (1) weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties in accurate or 
fluent word recognition; and

    (2) strengths in higher level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, 
critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;

Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific 
 level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological 
 bases of dyslexia;
Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs 
 as early as first grade;
Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for 
 ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based 
 intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-
 awareness and self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary 
 accommodations that ensure success in school and in life; and
Whereas October 2025 is an appropriate month to designate as ``National Dyslexia 
 Awareness Month'': Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) calls on Congress, schools, and State and local 
 educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant 
 educational implications that must be addressed; and

    (2) supports the designation of ``National Dyslexia 
 Awareness Month''.
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