BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH
2010
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORJ:H CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, many ofus take communication for granted, but an estimated 42 million Americans
are impacted by hearing loss, speech and language impairment and similar communication barriers, with
economic costs exceeding $30 billion due to lost work productivity, special education, and medical
treatment; and
WHEREAS, theN orth Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
estimate that more than 1,000,000 North Carolinians, or one in eight people, have hearing loss or speech
and language impairments; and
WHEREAS, effective communication impacts learning, socialization and emotional development
and is important to us all as we strive to reach our individual potential; and
WHEREAS, the ability to clearly communicate and understand others is critical to securing
employment, to establishing and maintaining relationships and to livinga fulfilling and enjoyable life; and
WHEREAS, hearing loss services specialists, communication specialists, speech and language
pathologists, audiologists and teachers of people with hearing loss are just some of the diverse and multi­talynted
professionals trained to empower individuals to maximize their communication skills to lead
independent and productive lives;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE, Governor of the State of North Carolina,
do hereby proclaim May 2010, as "BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH" and call upon our
citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities.
~Q~~
BEVERLYEAVESPERDUE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of
North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and
ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.