[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6761-S6762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL FRAGILE X AWARENESS DAY

  On July 12, 2000, the Senate passed S. Res. 268, as follows:

                              S. Res. 268

       Whereas Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of 
     mental retardation, affecting people of every race, income 
     level, and nationality;
       Whereas 1 in every 260 women is a carrier of the Fragile X 
     defect;
       Whereas 1 in every 4,000 children is born with the Fragile 
     X defect, and typically requires a lifetime of special care 
     at a cost of over $2,000,000;
       Whereas Fragile X remains frequently undetected due to its 
     recent discovery and the lack of awareness about the disease, 
     even within the medical community;
       Whereas the genetic defect causing Fragile X has been 
     discovered, and is easily identified by testing;
       Whereas inquiry into Fragile X is a powerful research model 
     for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, 
     schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and other 
     forms of X-linked mental retardation;
       Whereas individuals with Fragile X can provide a 
     homogeneous research population for advancing the 
     understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders;
       Whereas with concerted research efforts, a cure for Fragile 
     X may be developed;

[[Page S6762]]

       Whereas Fragile X research, both basic and applied, has 
     been vastly underfunded despite the prevalence of the 
     disorder, the potential for the development of a cure, the 
     established benefits of available treatments and 
     intervention, and the significance that Fragile X research 
     has for related disorders; and
       Whereas the Senate as an institution and Members of 
     Congress as individuals are in unique positions to help raise 
     public awareness about the need for increased funding for 
     research and early diagnosis and treatment for the disorder 
     known as Fragile X: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designate July 22, 2000 as 
     ``National Fragile X Awareness Day''.

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