2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 115
Commending the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026
WHEREAS, the International Rett Syndrome Foundation is the leading research, family support, and advocacy organization for individuals with Rett syndrome, working to address the full spectrum of the disorder while providing a voice for patients and their families; and
WHEREAS, Rett syndrome is a rare postnatal genetic neurological disorder that almost exclusively affects young girls and causes impairments in the development of speech and coordination, as well as other symptoms and complications; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of Rett syndrome typically begin to appear in infants and toddlers between the ages of six and 18 months, followed by a period of regression when motor skills are gradually lost over time; and
WHEREAS, more than half of those diagnosed with Rett syndrome lose their ability to walk, and many suffer from impairments such as loss of speech, seizures, scoliosis, and irregular breathing patterns; one of the most distinctive signs of Rett syndrome is near constant repetitive hand movements while awake; and
WHEREAS, individuals with Rett syndrome require extensive support and assistance with daily tasks throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, scientists first discovered the gene that causes Rett syndrome in 1999, but there is currently no known cure for the condition, and treatment is generally focused on addressing symptoms; and