[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                             [[Page E1041]]

          COMPREHENSIVE FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME PREVENTION ACT

                                 ______


                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 1995
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join Congressman Bill 
Richardson, Congresswoman Susan Molinari, Congressman Doug Bereuter, 
and Congressman Joe Kennedy in introducing legislation today promoting 
public awareness of fetal alcohol syndrome, one of this country's 
leading causes of irreversible physical and mental retardation.
  Although the lower limit of safe alcohol consumption has not been 
documented, it is clearly evident that even small amounts of alcohol 
adversely affects the developing fetus. The unfortunate fact is that 
this condition is 100 percent preventable. Fetal alcohol syndrome and 
the varying effects of this alcohol-related condition is a national 
problem that can impact any woman and child, despite their 
socioeconomic or racial status. According to CDC statistics, it is a 
problem that has increased sixfold since 1979.
  In 1981, because of the Surgeon General's concern for the dangers of 
drinking during pregnancy, alcoholic beverages were required to carry 
warning labels. Yet in a 1991 CDC survey of pregnant women, 13.4 
percent were found to have had at least 30 alcoholic drinks in the 
previous month. Recent surveys have also shown that one out of every 
five mothers will continue to drink during their next pregnancy. 
Because of social stigma, many women deny engaging in risky behavior, 
to their physician, thereby increasing the difficulty for physicians to 
identify and provide appropriate counseling. With greater effectiveness 
in identification of FAS, it is estimated that a more accurate estimate 
of alcohol ingestion in pregnant women is 20 to 35 percent.
  Each year more than 50,000 children are born with some degree of 
physical or mental deformity that can be directly related to maternal 
alcohol ingestion. Nearly 1 out of every 750 children are born with 
some degree of fetal alcohol effects each year. FAS experts believe 
that one-third to one-half of all children in existing special 
education programs today have been affected by alcohol in some way. The 
cost of institutionalization and health provisions for these children 
approximates nearly $1.4 million over the lifetime of a single child.
  Mr. Speaker, the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research, Education, and 
Prevention Act that we are proposing provides for the evaluation of the 
existing research and prevention efforts, and the development of an 
educational curriculum for health professionals and the development of 
professional health standards with regard to FAS identification and 
treatment.
  In addition, we are proposing a public-private collaborative effort 
to develop and implement an education awareness campaign on the effects 
of alcohol during pregnancy. The human and societal costs of this 
devastating problem are enormous. Let us join together to increase the 
public's awareness of alcohol-related birth defects.


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