[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 220 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 220

Designating the ninth day of September of each year as ``National Fetal 
                   Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 9, 2003

Ms. Murkowski submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating the ninth day of September of each year as ``National Fetal 
                   Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day''.

Whereas fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading cause of mental retardation in 
        western civilization, including the United States, and is 100 percent 
        preventable;
Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major cause of numerous social 
        disorders including learning disabilities, school failure, juvenile 
        delinquency, homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime;
Whereas economists estimate that each individual with fetal alcohol spectrum 
        disorders will cost United States taxpayers between $1,500,000 and 
        $3,000,000 in his or her lifetime;
Whereas in February 1999, a small group of parents of children who suffer from 
        fetal alcohol syndrome/effect (FAS/E) came together with the hope that 
        in one magic moment the world could be made aware of the devastating 
        consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy;
Whereas the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day was 
        observed on September 9, 1999;
Whereas Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, the co-founder of the first 
        International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day, stated the purpose 
        of the observance as: ``What if . . . a world full of FAS/E parents all 
        got together on the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of 
        the year and asked the world to remember that during the 9 months of 
        pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol . . . would the rest of the 
        world listen?''; and
Whereas on the ninth day of the ninth month of each year since 1999, communities 
        around the world have observed International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 
        Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the ninth day of September of each year as 
        ``National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to--
                    (A) observe ``National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 
                Awareness Day'' with appropriate ceremonies to--
                            (i) promote awareness of the effects of 
                        prenatal exposure to alcohol;
                            (ii) increase compassion for individuals 
                        affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol;
                            (iii) minimize further effects; and
                            (iv) ensure healthier communities across 
                        the United States; and
                    (B) observe a moment of reflection on the ninth 
                hour of the ninth day of September to remember that 
                during the 9 months of pregnancy a woman should not 
                consume alcohol.
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