Senate adopts resolution recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month

The California State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 40 on a unanimous voice vote, recognizing May as National Stroke Awareness Month and highlighting aphasia and long-term recovery for stroke survivors.

Senator Dolly introduced the measure and described her own experience with a stroke while hospitalized for a heart procedure, saying the episode left her with “aphasia and apraxia, which impacts my language and my speech, not intelligence.” She told colleagues that aphasia is often invisible and urged attention to survivors’ needs.

The resolution notes the scope and risk factors discussed on the floor. Senators cited figures mentioned in debate, including an estimate of about 7,000,000 stroke survivors in the United States and that “about 1 in 4 adults worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime.” Speakers called out high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and diabetes as leading contributors to stroke risk.

Senator Grove, a coauthor, praised Dolly’s decision to speak on the floor and urged colleagues to support the resolution. Senator Seayarto described aphasia as impairing word formation rather than intelligence and commended Dolly’s recovery progress. Senator Wahab also voiced support and framed the measure as a human and nonpolitical matter.

The resolution was adopted by the Senate. Senators then joined Senator Dolly at the front of the chamber to recognize her rehabilitation team and guests, including speech and occupational therapists and medical staff who assisted in her recovery.

Votes at a glance: Senate Resolution 40 — Adopted (Aye 34, No 0).