WHEREAS, the United Nations, the World Federation of the Deaf, the National Association of the Deaf and 129 National Associations of the Deaf throughout the world simultaneously participate in the Deaf World Week Celebration; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine and its citizens observe the last full week of September as Deaf Culture Week in accordance with Sec. 1.1 MRSA §132; and

WHEREAS, the statute recognizes the sociolinguistic community of Deaf people as a distinct group, rich with its own language, traditions, cultural values and norms, history, folklore, literature and a network of organizations; and

WHEREAS, American Sign Language, a visual-gestural language, is recognized as the official state language of Deaf people; and

WHEREAS, public schools and communities throughout the State are urged to observe Deaf Culture Week with appropriate ceremony and cultural study; and

WHEREAS, organizations, representatives and friends of the Deaf community join in observing this significant event in recognition of the Deaf community, Deaf culture, American Sign Language and the celebration of the Deaf population;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of September 24th through 30th, 2023 as

Deaf Culture Week

throughout the State of Maine and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this sixth day of September Two Thousand Twenty Three