Florida Senate - 2019                             (NP)    SR 930
       
       
        
       By Senator Taddeo
       
       
       
       
       
       40-00463-19                                            2019930__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing April 1-7, 2019, as “Autism
    3         Soccer Awareness Week” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong
    6  developmental disability resulting in impairment of an
    7  individual’s ability to learn, develop healthy interactive
    8  behaviors, and understand verbal, nonverbal, and reciprocal
    9  communication, and
   10         WHEREAS, autism, the result of a neurological disorder
   11  affecting brain function, affects one in every 68 children, and
   12  millions nationwide, but few understand this complex disorder,
   13  and
   14         WHEREAS, children with autism have a variety of symptoms
   15  and special abilities, and
   16         WHEREAS, children with autism have been discriminated
   17  against in the participation of sports and extracurricular
   18  activities because of these symptoms and special abilities, and
   19         WHEREAS, children with autism have a right to reap the
   20  physical and mental benefits of sports and extracurricular
   21  activities, and
   22         WHEREAS, children with autism must be given the chance to
   23  participate in sports and extracurricular activities as we
   24  continue to research this complex neurological disorder to find
   25  treatment options to help those affected and as we strive to
   26  provide families with education, awareness, and acceptance, and
   27         WHEREAS, Autism Soccer teaches soccer skills to children
   28  with autism in a supportive environment that encourages teamwork
   29  and assists them in building self-confidence, NOW, THEREFORE,
   30  
   31  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   32  
   33         That April 1-7, 2019, is designated as “Autism Soccer
   34  Awareness Week” in Florida, and that Floridians are encouraged
   35  to support and encourage the engagement of children with autism
   36  in sports, including soccer, and extracurricular activities.