[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1129-E1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  H.R. 4365, THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. J.D. HAYWORTH

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2000

  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, autism is a severe, lifelong neurological 
disorder that usually manifests itself in children during the first two 
years of life and causes impairment in language, cognition and 
communication. For over forty years autism was thought to be an 
emotional disorder caused by trauma or bad parenting. This tragic 
mistake resulted in the loss of an entire generation of children to 
medical progress. Now that we know that autism is, in fact, a medical 
disorder for which medical treatments and a cure can and will be found, 
we must devote appropriate resources.
  Autism is the third most common developmental disorder to affect 
children, following mental retardation and cerebral palsy. Autism 
currently affects over 400,000 individuals in the U.S. and I in every 
500 children born today. Autism is more prevalent than Down syndrome, 
childhood cancer or cystic fibrosis.
  Because we currently don't know what causes autism, it is imperative 
that we seek a better understanding of its origins. Some believe 
passionately that vaccines cause autism. Some evidence links the 
disorder to environmental factors, as evidenced by autism ``clusters''. 
Others point to genetic causes, and still some others to a combination 
of the two. The bottom line is that we just don't know. This 
illustrates the need for a greater federal commitment to 
epidemiological and basic clinical research to get to the root cause of 
this devastating developmental disorder.

[[Page E1130]]

  I strongly support legislative efforts to improve surveillance of 
autism and enhance federal research to prevent, treat and one day cure 
this developmental disorder. H.R. 4365, the Children's Health Act, 
would expand research and prevention activities in a number of 
childhood diseases.
  Importantly, H.R. 4365 would help unravel the mystery of autism. This 
legislation would create up to five Centers of Excellence for autism. 
The bill would create a centralized and open facility for gene and 
brain banking, which is essential for scientific progress in autism. 
H.R. 4365 would also develop an autism awareness campaign for the 
public and physicians. Finally, it would bring together the resources 
of NIH, CSC, and DHHS to attack the problem of autism.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues toward the enactment of 
this important legislation and other measures that will help move us 
toward finding a cure for autism.

                          ____________________