The U.S. Senate declared September 7, 2004, as the first National Attention Deficit Disorder Day. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) introduced the resolution and Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) cosponsored the initiative. The resolution recognized ADHD as a major public health concern and hoped to draw attention to the dearth of information about the disorder. The document also stated that the hope of identifying this day would encourage an honest discussion about ADHD and its impact on children and adults in schools, in the workplace, and in relationship and would encourage sufferers to seek relief. The thrust of the day was to give information and to counteract misinformation that is often inaccurate and misleading.

Several items were contained in the resolution:

- To designate a specific day as National Deficit Disorder Awareness Day

- To recognize ADHD as a major health concern

- To encourage people of the United States to find out more about ADHD and its supporting mental health services and seek treatment if appropriate

- To express the sense of the Senate that the Federal Government has a responsibility

- To endeavor to raise public awareness about ADHD

- To continue to improve access to and the quality of mental health services dedicated to improve the quality of life for children and adults

- To request the President issue a proclamation calling of federal, state, and local administrators to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities

In the 109th Congress, Senators Cantwell and Durbin in presented Resolution 544 for National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day on September 20, 2006. This resolution emphasized how ADHD is the most extensively studied mental disorder in children and affects an estimated 3 to 7 percent of 400,000 school age children. Supporting organizations included National Mental Health Organization, American Counseling Association, American Psychiatric Association, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, and the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.

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