[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 390 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 390

  Designating September 9, 2004, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 
                            Disorders Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                June 23 (legislative day, June 22), 2004

  Ms. Murkowski (for herself and Mr. Daschle) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating September 9, 2004, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 
                            Disorders Day''.

Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' has replaced fetal alcohol 
        syndrome as the umbrella term describing the range of effects that can 
        occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy;
Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the leading cause of mental 
        retardation in western civilization, including the United States, and 
        are 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 the incidence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome is estimated at 1 out of 
        500 live births and of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at 
        1 out of every 100 live births;
Whereas the economic cost of fetal alcohol syndrome alone to the Nation was 
        $5,400,000,000 in 2003 and that each individual with fetal alcohol 
        syndrome will cost United States taxpayers between an estimated 
        $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 spectrum disorders came together with the hope that in 1 
        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 September 9, 2004, as ``National Fetal 
        Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 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 Spectrum 
                Disorders 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 September 9, 2004, to remember that during the 
                9 months of pregnancy a woman should not consume 
                alcohol.
                                 <all>