Declare Down Syndrome Awareness Day

March 21, 2018, as Down Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Down Syndrome Day WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of common genetic variations that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 21, 2018, as Down Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Down Syndrome Day; and WHEREAS, Down syndrome is a genetic condition affecting the body's development caused by the presence of three copies of chromosome 21 in the cell nucleus, and is also called Trisomy 21; there are an estimated seven million people with Down syndrome worldwide; and WHEREAS, One in every 691 babies born in the United States are diagnosed with Down syndrome, making it the most common genetic disorder in the nation; approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States each year; and WHEREAS, While once extremely fatal, advances in medical technology are helping individuals with Down syndrome to live longer, healthier lives than ever before; with proper treatment, most particularly corrective heart surgeries, as many as 80% of adults with Down syndrome will reach age 60 or older; and WHEREAS, Down Syndrome International will be celebrating the 13th Anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2018; the date (3:21) was chosen to represent the scientific basis of the condition, Trisomy 21; and WHEREAS, World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012; each year the voice of people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them, grows louder, but there is still so much more to be done; and WHEREAS, More and more New Yorkers are interacting with individuals with Down syndrome, increasing the need for widespread public education and acceptance; and WHEREAS, People with Down syndrome in the State of New York possess a wide range of abilities, and are active participants in educational, occupational, social, and recreational circles of the community; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the inherent dignity, worth and valuable contributions of persons with Down syndrome as promoters of the well-being and diversity of our communities, and the importance of their individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own choices; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body, pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 21, 2018, as Down Syndrome Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Down Syndrome Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.