H.Res. 821

119 HRES 821 IH: Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as “National Dyslexia Awareness Month”.
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-10-17
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 EN
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 IV  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. RES. 821  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   October 17, 2025   Mr. Westerman  (for himself,  Mr. Bean of Florida ,  Ms. DelBene ,  Ms. Brownley ,  Mrs. Houchin , and  Mr. Lawler ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the  Committee on Education and Workforce    RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as  National Dyslexia Awareness Month .
Whereas dyslexia is—
(1)
defined as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader; and
(2)
most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell;
Whereas the First Step Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–391 ; 132 Stat. 5194) included a definition of dyslexia as part of the requirement of the Act to screen inmates for dyslexia upon intake in Federal prisons;
Whereas the definition of dyslexia in section 3635 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 101(a) of the First Step Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–391 ; 132 Stat. 5195), is the first and only definition of dyslexia in a Federal statute;
Whereas dyslexia is the most common learning disability and affects 80 to 90 percent of all individuals with a learning disability;
Whereas dyslexia is persistent and highly prevalent, affecting as many as 1 out of every 5 individuals;
Whereas dyslexia is a paradox, in that an individual with dyslexia may have both—
(1)
weaknesses in decoding that result in difficulties in accurate or fluent word recognition; and
(2)
strengths in higher level cognitive functions, such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, and problem solving;
Whereas great progress has been made in understanding dyslexia on a scientific level, including the epidemiology and cognitive and neurobiological bases of dyslexia;
Whereas the achievement gap between typical readers and dyslexic readers occurs as early as first grade;
Whereas early screening for, and early diagnosis of, dyslexia are critical for ensuring that individuals with dyslexia receive focused, evidence-based intervention that leads to fluent reading, the promotion of self-awareness and self-empowerment, and the provision of necessary accommodations that ensure success in school and in life; and
Whereas October 2025 is an appropriate month to designate as  National Dyslexia Awareness Month : Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
calls on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed; and
(2)
supports the designation of  National Dyslexia Awareness Month .