WHEREAS it is the intention of the Mayor and Council of Cherry Hill Township to focus attention on noteworthy occasions and events; and

WHEREAS April has been designated as Autism Awareness Month across the United States, in order to highlight the growing need for public education about autism, a complex brain development disorder that affects more than 2 million Americans, including 1 in every 68 American children; and

WHEREAS today, the students, faculty and staff at Horace Mann Elementary School have come together to raise awareness of this important issue by holding their second annual Autism Awareness Walk; and

WHEREAS recognizing that autism is often diagnosed at an early age, Horace Mann Elementary School offers a host of special education and early-intervention programs to help our young people with autism to succeed, and to foster an understanding of autism among its students; and

WHEREAS  the goal of this special event is to teach the Cherry Hill community to celebrate the student body while also building a greater level of understanding and accepting differences, in addition to promoting a sense of togetherness in supporting one another as a community; and  

WHEREAS the Mayor and Council wish to recognize and commend Horace Mann Elementary School for its efforts to promote autism awareness throughout the month of April, and all year long.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHUCK CAHN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Township of Cherry Hill, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2018 to be

Autism Awareness Month

in the Township of Cherry Hill and do urge all citizens to join with me and Council in gratefully acknowledging the standards of civic responsibility set by Horace Mann Elementary School, and in thanking all those involved in organizing and participating in this event.