[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER AWARENESS DAY

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the first 
ever ``National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day.'' This day, 
made official by Senate Resolution 370, will serve as an important tool 
in furthering the national education campaign about Attention Deficit 
Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as AD/HD.
  Although AD/HD can affect people across racial, ethnic, and 
socioeconomic lines, poor and minority communities have been especially 
underserved by the available resources. The disorder can interfere with 
school and workplace activities, lead to antisocial behavior, and even 
substance abuse and problems with the justice system. It is only 
recently that AD/HD has received national attention, so there are still 
many children and adults who remain undiagnosed and suffering from the 
stigma associated with this disorder.
  Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 
(CHADD), a national non-profit organization, was founded in 1987 to 
increase awareness and offer resources and encouragement to those 
suffering from the disorder and their family members. Recently CHADD 
has expanded into Santa Cruz County with the creation of Chapter #605, 
and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome them to our 
community. Only through education and understanding can we, as a 
nation, begin to address the effects of this disorder and seek ways to 
treat it.
  It is important to realize the effect AD/HD can have on individuals 
and communities, and I would like to commend the efforts of CHADD 
Chapter #605 in their goal of expanding understanding of this disorder. 
Through combining grassroots campaigns with the new ``National 
Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day'' we can begin to address this 
problem on both a local and national level.

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