In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day 2016, honoring the many contributions of Dennis O'Brien as a champion of the Autistic Community.

WHEREAS, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), describes a complex neurological disorder that affects, in varying degrees, language and social skill development, characterized by challenges in communication and social interactions, repetitive behaviors and movement; and

WHEREAS, For more than 30 years as a State Representative, including as the first-ever minority party Speaker of the House and as a Councilman in this body, Dennis O’Brien worked to support and advocate for those with disabilities, particularly people with Autism; and

WHEREAS, As a State Representative, he was a leader in crafting the State's 1998 multibillion-dollar settlement with tobacco companies that still provides funding for public health initiatives in Pennsylvania and in securing more state aid for children and adults with disabilities, including Autism; and

WHEREAS, Then-Speaker O’Brien championed the State’s first-ever Autism insurance legislation, which included the Autism Spectrum Disorders Coverage provision in Pennsylvania’s insurance law, requiring private insurers to provide coverage for essential treatments for individuals with Autism, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and other structured behavioral programs; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, he worked with the Philadelphia Phillies to make Citizens Bank Park the nation’s first Autism friendly ballpark; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, then-Councilman O’Brien helped initiate the first municipally driven response to a disease malady in the history of the United States with the launch of the Philadelphia Autism Project, which continues to bring City stakeholders together to find better ways to deliver services and improve outcomes for the City’s Autism community; and

WHEREAS, With the help of 135 experts from all over the world, the first year of the Philadelphia Autism Project generated 119 policy recommendations, covering policy, research, health care provision, education and other issues, which are still being implemented; and

WHEREAS, Dennis O’Brien has continued to contribute to the work of providing appropriate services and adequate funding to services for those who have disabilities and special needs, especially Autism; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That Council, in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day 2016, does hereby honor the many contributions of Dennis O’Brien as a champion of the Autistic community

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FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dennis O’Brien, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

End