Colorado Governor Issues Proclamations for World Down Syndrome Day, Down Syndrome Awareness Month

World Down Syndrome Day proclamation at the Colorado State Capitol

Gov. John Hickenlooper at World Down Syndrome DayColorado Governor John Hickenlooper joined the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Anna and John J. Sie, self-advocates and many other organizations providing services to people with Down syndrome on the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

Among the organizations represented at the Capitol were the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, Down Syndrome-Autism Connection, and the Denver Adult Down Syndrome Clinic.

Governor John Hickenlooper with Anna and John J. SieThe photo helped mark a momentous occasion whereby Governor Hickenlooper officially proclaimed March as Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and March 21st (3/21) as World Down Syndrome Day in Colorado.

Thank you to everyone who came out to show the community our unity in support of research, medical care, education and advocacy that improves the lives of people with Down syndrome!

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper proclaims March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day in Colorado

See the official proclamation

The World Down Syndrome Day proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 6 million people with Down syndrome in the world today; and

WHEREAS, people with Down syndrome deserve fundamental human and civil rights and yet in many countries, people with Down syndrome are still not afforded those rights; and

WHEREAS, despite dramatic increases in lifespan and intellectual ability in the U.S., there is still much work to be done regarding the rights to equality, inclusion, education, medical care, research, and support for people with Down syndrome in the U.S. and abroad; and

WHEREAS, starting with Singapore in 2006, the date 3-21 has come to represent 3 copies of chromosome 21 (hence 3-21) and has developed into a movement to celebrate and value people with Down syndrome around the world; and

WHEREAS, the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome with the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado, on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, engages in global research collaborations and the dissemination of medical best practices to all countries specifically to benefit people with Down syndrome; and

WHEREAS, through public awareness, the State of Colorado celebrates the hard work and progress made by parents, self-advocates, medical professionals, researchers, educators, and many non-profit organizations all over the world including but certainly not limited to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation headquartered in Denver, Colorado; and

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado joins the United Nations and over 191 other countries in celebrating and valuing the lives and equality of people with Down syndrome;

Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2013, as

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

In the State of Colorado

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper proclaims March as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Colorado

See the official proclamation

The Down Syndrome Awareness Month resolution reads:

WHEREAS, in our recent history, the majority of people with Down syndrome were stigmatized and institutionalized, and that history should never be forgotten or repeated, and people with Down syndrome deserve fundamental human and civil rights; and

WHEREAS, the intellectual ability has dramatically increased, and the lifespan has more than doubled for people with Down syndrome since deinstitutionalization; and

WHEREAS, today through the efforts of human and civil rights activists, people with Down syndrome have the right to live at home, attend their local public schools, get appropriate health care, get married, maintain a job, and lead meaningful, integrated lives; and

WHEREAS, Down syndrome is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder and is the leading cause of intellectual and developmental delay in the U.S. and in the world; and

WHEREAS, much progress has been made for the people with Down syndrome through the vision and hard work of parents, self advocates, medical professionals, researchers, educators, and non-profit organizations; and

WHEREAS, through public awareness, the State of Colorado supports the initiatives of organizations working to ensure people with Down syndrome have adequate services, are valued by society, and can lead fulfilling and productive lives in our community;

Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim March 2013, as

DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

in the State of Colorado.

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