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 59 American children; and
WHEREAS today, students, faculty and staff, and community members from Horace Mann, Kingston, and Woodcrest Elementary Schools have come together to help build tolerance, awareness, and acceptance of students with autism spectrum disorder by holding the third annual Autism Awareness Walk; and
WHEREAS recognizing that autism is often diagnosed at an early age, Cherry Hill currently has three elementary schools with autism support classrooms in the district. Each 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 annual 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, Kingston, and Woodcrest Elementary Schools for their 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 2019 to be
Autism Acceptance 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 our schools, and in thanking all those involved in organizing and participating in this event
