Reps. Murphy, Bieda, Dennis, Farrah, Spade, Tobocman, Waters, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Byrum, Condino, DeRossett, Ehardt, Elkins, Gillard, Hager, Jamnick, Kolb, Lipsey, Minore, Phillips, Plakas, Sak, Sheltrown, Stallworth, Vagnozzi, Zelenko and Gleason offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 256.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact the Children's Vision Improvement and Learning Readiness Act.

            Whereas, For most children in our country, vision screening efforts at school are the first step in the effort to identify young people with problems with their sight.  This effort does help many families.  However, there is little doubt that the screenings in many situations are not nearly as effective as they could be in promoting good vision; and

            Whereas, Studies indicate that a large number, between 40 and 67 percent, of students who are recommended, as a result of vision screening, to visit an eye doctor do not do so.  Another disturbing fact reflected in studies is that vision screenings are not always consistently reliable in identifying children with potentially serious eye conditions.  Sometimes, "passing" a vision screening can give families a false sense of security, when further tests clearly would be in order; and

            Whereas, There is legislation pending in Congress that could bring major advances to the vision of our nation's children.  The Children's Vision Improvement and Learning Readiness Act, H.R. 2173, would provide states and local governments with funding to increase the number of children who receive eye examinations and the number of serious conditions that are treated; and

            Whereas, With the role that vision plays in the learning process and the costs to individuals and our society, encouraging better vision care for children is a most appropriate step for our country to take; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact the Children's Vision Improvement and Learning Readiness Act; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.