WHEREAS, The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network declares that approximately 1 in 59 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); and

WHEREAS, ASD is a lifelong developmental disability that results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, mostly affecting children in many countries irrespective of gender, race, or socioeconomic status; and

WHEREAS, ASD is typically characterized by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior, interests, and activities; and

WHEREAS, ASD is a lifelong disability that manifests itself during the first three or four years of life; and

WHEREAS, On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/139 declaring April 2 as the annual World Autism Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly invites all member states, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including nongovernmental organizations and the private sectors, to observe World Autism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of autism; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly encourages member states to take measures to raise awareness throughout society regarding children with autism and requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all member states and United Nations organizations; and

WHEREAS, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/139 also recalls the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to affirm that children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions that ensure dignity, promote self-reliance, and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children without disabilities; and

WHEREAS, April 2, 2020, is the 13th anniversary of the first day proclaimed as World Autism Awareness Day; now, therefore, be it