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Supervisor to declare March 21 World Down Syndrome Day; advocate urges public support
Summary
Monty Merkel requested the board acknowledge World Down Syndrome Day and asked residents to spend 21 seconds on March 21 reflecting on Down syndrome and support for improved services.
Monty Merkel addressed the Gage County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday to request recognition of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, and shared information about the international theme and local awareness efforts.
Merkel told the board that Nebraska’s governor had signed a proclamation recognizing March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day and asked the county to consider marking the date. “The theme is improve our support systems,” he said, and asked board members to “take 21 seconds and spend it thinking about Down syndrome” on March 21 as a small act of awareness.
Merkel outlined national and local examples of people with Down syndrome working in public jobs and businesses, and noted ongoing research into links between Down syndrome and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He said he was not asking the county for funding but for recognition and simple acts of public support, such as lighting the courthouse in blue and yellow and posting messages on marquees.
Board members thanked Merkel for his remarks and discussed the logistics of lighting courthouse fixtures; staff said the courthouse had been lit in blue in the past and that the county would attempt to display blue and yellow lights for the date.
The board did not take a separate binding vote on a county proclamation at this meeting but acknowledged Merkel’s request and publicized the governor’s proclamation.
