00 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15(title am)                                                                          
01 Requesting the governor to proclaim March 2000 as Developmental Disability                                              
02 Awareness Month.                                                                                                        
03 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                              
04  WHEREAS nearly 12,000 Alaskans have developmental disabilities that are based on                                     
05 physical or mental impairments or a combination of physical and mental impairments; and                                 
06  WHEREAS persons with developmental disabilities often have substantial functional                                    
07 limitations to being able to take care of themselves or to being economically self-sufficient;                          
08 and                                                                                                                     
09  WHEREAS these limitations on major life activities are generally life-long and require                               
10 a wide array of services and support systems; and                                                                       
11  WHEREAS the individualized assistance offered to persons with developmental                                          
12 disabilities by the state is complemented by the effective advocacy of the caring people of                             
13 various organizations that make up the Key Campaign, such as the Key Coalition, community                               
14 providers, people with developmental disabilities and their families, and the Governor's                                
01 Council on Disabilities and Special Education; and                                                                      
02  WHEREAS the legislature applauds the efforts of the Key Campaign in helping to                                       
03 ensure that more Alaskans with developmental disabilities and their families are able to                                
04 participate in and contribute to their communities through integration and inclusion in the                             
05 economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstreams; and                                                 
06  WHEREAS the legislature wishes to acknowledge the power of community that is                                         
07 exemplified by the Key Campaign; and                                                                                    
08  WHEREAS the legislature wishes to promote awareness of the needs of persons with                                     
09 developmental disabilities and the extent to which these persons can share in and contribute                            
10 to the life of each community where they live;                                                                          
11  BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the                                           
12 governor to proclaim March 2000 as Developmental Disability Awareness Month and urges                                   
13 schools, civic groups, and governmental agencies to observe the month by suitable activities.