[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S5172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 141--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 9, 2005, AS ``NATIONAL 
            FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Coleman, Mr. Dodd, and Mrs. Murray) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 141

       Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' 
     includes a broader range of conditions and therefore has 
     replaced the term ``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 the incidence rate 
     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 it is estimated 
     that each individual with fetal alcohol syndrome will cost 
     United States taxpayers between $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, 
     asked ``What if . . . a world full of FAS/E [Fetal Alcohol 
     Syndrome/Effect] 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, 2005, as ``National Fetal 
     Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''; and
       (2) calls 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 of prenatal exposure to 
     alcohol; and
       (iv) ensure healthier communities across the United States; 
     and
       (B) observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of 
     September 9, 2005, to remember that during the 9 months of 
     pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol.

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