Assembly Resolution No. 605
BY: M. of A. Jones
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim December 4, 2019, as Pallister-Killian
Syndrome Day in the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health-related issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York
State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim December 4, 2019, as
Pallister-Killian Syndrome Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS) is an extremely rare
chromosomal disorder occurring for no apparent reason; it is clinically
mosaic tetrasomy of 12p which means people with PKS have 4 copies of the
short arm of chromosome 12 rather than the normal 2 in some, but not at
all, of their cells; and
WHEREAS, Selecting December 4th as the day of recognition for PKS is
derived from chromosome 12, 4 copies of the short arm; and
WHEREAS, Children born with this syndrome suffer from low muscle
tone, global developmental delay, seizures beginning in infancy, lack of
speech development, and intellectual disability; they may also have
hearing and vision loss; and
WHEREAS, There are fewer than 300 known cases of PKS worldwide;
however medical experts believe the actual incidence is higher and that
there remain undiagnosed cases; and
WHEREAS, Jay Wood is a student at Peru Central School who has been
diagnosed with PKS; Jay works extremely hard every day to complete tasks
other children his age take for granted; he can now sit momentarily
unassisted, is learning to feed himself and greets his classmates with a
"hi"; he loves life, has a wonderful laugh, eats anything chocolate and
is one of SUNY Plattsburgh's biggest hockey fans; most of all Jay is a
loving son, and brother to his sister, Emma; and
WHEREAS, Research, education and understanding of PKS will aid in
the early diagnosis of children and will benefit the families and
individuals facing the many challenges affected by the disease; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim December 4, 2019, as
Pallister-Killian Syndrome Day in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and the Wood family.