Hillsborough Resident Receives Gov.'s Proclamation

A Hillsborough family received a proclamation from New Jersey Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman from Gov. Chris Christie recently.

Accepting the proclamation certifying May 15 to June 15 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month was 16-year-old Hillsborough resident David Letts, along with his mother, father and grandfather. Letts, who has Tourette syndrome, received the proclamation on behalf of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders.

This year, the Bateman, along with Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Assemblywoman Donna Simon, also sponsored and secured a joint legislative resolution from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly to mark June 7 as the fifth anniversary of the now-federalized NJCTS Cell and DNA Sharing Repository at Rutgers University. Bateman, Ciattarelli and Simon all represent the 16th legislative district.

The joint resolution states that the repository is “renowned as an appropriate venue for citizens of the state with Tourette syndrome to contribute valuable data, genetic samples, and material to help researchers worldwide to study causes and to work toward better treatment and a cure for this neurological disorder that affects thousands of State residents, as well as more than one million people across the nation.” 

The joint resolution for the repository was a first, but this year’s proclamation is the 12th consecutive NJCTS has obtained from the Governor’s Office.

“Every year, the governor proclaims May 15 to June 15 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in the hopes of shedding light on this often misunderstood neurological condition,” Bateman said. “I stand with the governor in advocating for those who suffer from this disorder and hope that this attention will educate the public and inspire them to be a more empathetic and supportive community.”

NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice said the proclamation can serve as both a source of pride for individuals of the New Jersey TS community and an educational tool. In its first paragraph, the proclamation notes that “Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a hereditary neurological condition with onset in childhood that is defined by repetitive and involuntary body movements and/or vocal outbursts, also known as tics.”

The proclamation and joint resolution, as well as a complete photo gallery from this event, are available on NJCTS’ Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/TourettesSyndrome. More information about the

Center is available by calling 908-575-7350 or by visiting www.njcts.org.