Florida Senate - 2011 (NP) SR 2046 By Senator Fasano 11-02572-11 20112046__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing March 23, 2011, as 3 “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day” in Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, 6 Inc., is the Florida entity charged by the Federal Government 7 with advocating for programs that promote positive system 8 changes and that allow persons with developmental disabilities 9 to achieve optimum independence, and 10 WHEREAS, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, 11 Inc., promotes innovative programs and practices that improve 12 the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities, 13 and 14 WHEREAS, The Arc of Florida, a member of the national 15 community-based advocacy organization, is the statewide 16 nonprofit charity that has as its mission the improvement of the 17 quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities, and 18 WHEREAS, The Arc of Florida advocates for the development 19 of public policy and high-quality support services that improve 20 the lives of all Floridians with developmental and other 21 disabilities, and 22 WHEREAS, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, 23 Inc., and The Arc of Florida sponsor events such as 24 “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day,” which offers 25 agencies and organizations the opportunity to provide 26 information about services and programs for persons with 27 disabilities and promote understanding about the challenges and 28 obstacles in the everyday lives of persons with disabilities, 29 and 30 WHEREAS, “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day” is an 31 appropriate time to recognize Florida’s public policy 32 accomplishments concerning persons with disabilities and to 33 identify the improvements to public policy which are needed to 34 fully include all of Florida’s citizens with developmental 35 disabilities, and 36 WHEREAS, “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day” is an 37 appropriate time to honor former council member and self 38 advocate Idelio Valdes by awarding the Idelio Valdes Leadership 39 and Advocacy Award, NOW, THEREFORE, 40 41 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 42 43 That March 23, 2011, is recognized as “Developmental 44 Disabilities Awareness Day” in Florida.