A resolution designating April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR 3/14/2008 S2163)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 13, 2008

Designates April 2008 as National Autism Awareness Month. Expresses support for increasing federal funding for autism research.

Stresses the need to begin early intervention services soon after an individual has been diagnosed with autism.

Expresses support for the federal government funding 40% of the costs needed to educate children with disabilities.

Recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained teachers and the importance of worker training programs that meet the needs of developmentally disabled individuals.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Hagel, Chuck [R-NE] · R–NE

Committees

Judiciary Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Mar 13, 2008
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR 3/14/2008 S2163)
Mar 13, 2008
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 13, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

SRES 78 · A resolution designating April 2007 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze S.Res.481 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.Res.481, 110th Congress: A resolution designating April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/481

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres481/BILLS-110sres481is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.481 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.481 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.481, 110th Congress: A resolution designating April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/481

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres481/BILLS-110sres481is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.481 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.481 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.481, 110th Congress: A resolution designating April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/481

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres481/BILLS-110sres481is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.481 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.481 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.481, 110th Congress: A resolution designating April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/481

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2008-03-13.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres481/BILLS-110sres481is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.481 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.