[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2057-E2058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            OCTOBER IS NATIONAL SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the more than 
70,000 people in the United States currently living with Spina Bifida, 
the most common permanently disabling birth defect. Each October we 
recognize these Americans during National Spina Bifida Awareness Month 
and recognize the importance to work year round to advance research, 
programs, and policies to meet the needs of this important community.
  National Spina Bifida Awareness Month is sponsored by the Spina 
Bifida Association (SBA), which for more than 30 years has helped those 
living with and affected by this debilitating birth defect. As co-chair 
of the Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus, I've had the honor to work 
with my co-chair, Representative Chris Smith, and SBA to advance Spina 
Bifida awareness, research, and public health efforts in Congress. 
Founded in 1973, SBA is the Nation's only organization solely dedicated 
to advocating on behalf of the Spina Bifida community. Through its 
nearly 60 chapters in more than 125 communities, the SBA brings 
expectant parents together with those who have a child with Spina 
Bifida. This interaction helps to answer questions and concerns, but 
most importantly it lends much needed support and provides hope and 
inspiration.
  Mr. Speaker, Spina Bifida is a birth defect that can happen to 
anyone. It is a neural tube defect that occurs in the first month of 
pregnancy when the spinal column does not close completely. Everyday, 
an average of eight babies are affected by Spina Bifida and 
approximately 3,000 pregnancies are affected by this birth defect each 
year. We do not know the exact cause of it, but research found that if 
a woman takes 400 mcg of folic acid every day before she becomes 
pregnant, she reduces her risk of having a baby with Spina Bifida or 
another neural tube defect by as much as 70 percent.
  No two cases of Spina Bifida are ever the same. While Spina Bifida 
typically causes a

[[Page E2058]]

host of physical, psychosocial, educational, and vocational challenges, 
approximately 90 percent of all babies diagnosed with Spina Bifida live 
into adulthood, approximately 80 percent have normal IQ's, and 
approximately 75 percent participate in sports and other recreational 
activities. With access to appropriate and comprehensive care, people 
with Spina Bifida can live productive and fulfilling lives. The 
National Spina Bifida Program--which I helped to create with 
Representative Chris Smith--plays a critical role in improving the 
quality of life for people with Spina Bifida. I am hopeful that the 
House allocation of $6 million for the program in FY 2007 will be 
maintained in the final FY 2007 Labor-Health and Human Services-
Education bill and thank my colleagues in advance for helping to ensure 
this important funding is provided.
  I thank the SBA for its partnership and its commitment to ensuring 
that we are doing all that we can to reduce and prevent suffering from 
Spina Bifida and I congratulate the SBA on the occasion of its 18th 
annual Roast that took place on October 3rd . I would also like to take 
this opportunity to commend the SBA of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan 
for working tirelessly to help the families of those living with Spina 
Bifida meet the challenges and enjoy the rewards of raising their 
children.

                          ____________________