HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1736        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

James K. Hawkins

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act making October 25th Dwarfism awareness day in the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1736        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3044 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act making October 25th Dwarfism awareness day in the Commonwealth.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to establish forthwith October 25 as Dwarfism Awareness Day, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Whereas: The Little People of America was founded in 1957 by Billy Barty, an actor and little person in the filming industry, who started the organization in Nevada, and from there on we have become a big group.

Whereas: There are over 30,000 of us with dwarfism. We meet in our district groups during the fall and spring, there are 13 districts in the United States. Then for the summer, we meet nationally in a different state each year.

Whereas: Members of the Little People of America and people with dwarfism have been subjected to some uncomfortable situations, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts feels that with a better understanding of little people or someone of short stature, we seek to make a difference in the life of someone with dwarfism.

Whereas: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wishes for people to understand that people with dwarfism are the same as an average-height person but have to navigate the world a little differently. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wishes for everyone that is different to be afforded the same respect.

Whereas: The Little People of America is working towards having October 25th become National Dwarfism Awareness Day.

Therefore: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts officially declares October 25th Dwarfism Awareness Day and recognizes it as such.