[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 159 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. J. RES. 159

To designate the period commencing on February 14, 1994, and ending on 
         February 20, 1994, as ``Children of Alcoholics Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 22, 1993

 Mr. Dodd (for himself, Mr. Coats, and Mr. Durenberger) introduced the 
 following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
To designate the period commencing on February 14, 1994, and ending on 
         February 20, 1994, as ``Children of Alcoholics Week''.

Whereas it is estimated that there are nearly 27,000,000 children of alcoholics 
        in the United States, of whom 6,600,000 are under the age of 18;
Whereas there is strong scientific evidence that alcoholism runs in families 
        with children of alcoholics being 2 to 4 times more likely to develop 
        alcoholism than children of nonalcoholics;
Whereas parental alcoholism has a significant impact on the health of children 
        and on the health care system, with children of alcoholics being 
        admitted to hospitals at a 24 percent greater rate, using hospital days 
        at a 62 percent greater rate, incurring hospital charges at a 36 percent 
        greater rate, and incurring total health care charges at a 32 percent 
        greater rate, than other children;
Whereas parental alcohol abuse is a significant factor in a large proportion of 
        child abuse and neglect cases;
Whereas young children of alcoholics exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety 
        to a greater extent than children of nonalcoholics;
Whereas young children of alcoholics often have difficulty in school and are 
        more likely to be truant, drop out of school, repeat grades, or be 
        referred to a school counselor or psychologist;
Whereas children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome suffer from a range of deficits 
        that include dysmorphic facial features, growth retardation, 
        intellectual impairment, and disruptive behavior patterns and children 
        with Fetal Alcohol Effect suffer from significant, although less severe, 
        deficits;
Whereas children of alcoholics, with the interest and help of family, friends, 
        health professionals, teachers, clergy, and others, can avoid the 
        negative effects of familial alcoholism;
Whereas this resolution seeks to raise the level of public and professional 
        awareness on behalf of the families and children affected by alcohol 
        addiction;
Whereas by bringing attention to the plight of the children of alcoholics, the 
        Congress will be offering hope and encouragement for these innocent 
        victims and will be taking a significant step forward toward ending the 
        generational cycle of addiction;
Whereas a national week of recognition would give individuals and local, State, 
        and national organizations the opportunity to break the silence often 
        surrounding familial alcoholism; and
Whereas in recognition of the Tenth Anniversary of the establishment of the 
        National Association for Children of Alcoholics: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the period commencing on 
February 14, 1994, and ending on February 20, 1994, is designated as 
``Children of Alcoholics Week'', and the President is authorized and 
requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United 
States to observe such period with appropriate ceremonies, programs, 
and activities.

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