119-sres471

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 471 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 471

Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies 
to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that 
must be addressed, and designating October 2025 as ``National Dyslexia 
 Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 October 28, 2025

Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mrs. Capito, Mr. King, Ms. 
Warren, and Mr. Boozman) submitted the following resolution; which was 
 considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies 
to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that 
must be addressed, and designating 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, spell, and, often, the 
ability to learn a second language;

Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-391; 132 Stat. 5194 et seq.) 
 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, 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 with 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 epidemiological, cognitive, and neurobiological 
 bases of dyslexia;
Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs 
 as early as first grade; and
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: Now, 
 therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (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) designates October 2025 as ``National Dyslexia 
 Awareness Month''.
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