LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May of 2015 as Williams Syndrome Awareness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues 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 May of 2015 as Williams Syndrome
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Williams Syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is present
at birth and can affect anyone; it is characterized by medical problems,
including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning
disabilities; these often occur side by side with striking verbal abili-
ties, highly social personalities and an affinity for music; and
WHEREAS, WS affects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide, an estimated 20,000
to 30,000 people in the United States; it is known to occur equally in
both males and females and in every culture; and
WHEREAS, Unlike disorders that can make connecting with your child
difficult, children with Williams Syndrome tend to be social, friendly
and endearing; parents often say the joy and perspective a child with WS
brings into their lives has been unimaginable; and
WHEREAS, There are major struggles as well; many babies have life-
threatening cardiovascular problems, and children with WS need costly
and ongoing medical care and early interventions, such as speech or
occupational therapy, that may not be covered by insurance or state
funding; and
WHEREAS, As they grow, children with WS struggle with things like
spatial relations, numbers, and abstract reasoning, which can make daily
tasks a challenge; as adults, most people with Williams Syndrome will
need supportive housing to live to their fullest potential; many adults
with WS contribute to their communities as volunteers or paid employees,
often working at assisted living homes for senior citizens, hospitals
and libraries, or as store greeters or veterinary aides; and
WHEREAS, As people with WS mature, beyond the structure of school and
family activities, they often experience intense isolation which can
lead to depression; they are extremely sociable and experience the
normal need to connect with others; however, people with Williams
syndrome often do not process nuanced social cues and this makes it
difficult to form lasting relationships; and
WHEREAS, There are numerous common features of those inflicted with
WS, including characteristic facial appearance, heart and blood vessel
problems, hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels), low birth-
weight/slow weight gain, feeding problems, irritability (colic during
infancy), dental abnormalities, kidney abnormalities, hernias, hyperacu-
sis (sensitive hearing), musculoskeletal problems, overly friendly
(excessively social) personality, and developmental delays, learning
disabilities and attention deficit disorder; and
WHEREAS, The Williams Syndrome Association provides support to indi-
viduals with Williams Syndrome, their parents, and the professionals
working with those children suffering from this syndrome; and
WHEREAS, WS is gaining wider popularity in the research field due to
its unique characteristics; currently, there are also several research
centers around the United States specializing in characteristics of
Williams Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, According to the Williams Syndrome Association, it is imper-
ative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health

issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State
and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May of 2015 as Williams
Syndrome Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.