[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9176-S9177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to honor this Wednesday, 
September 9, National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day which 
recognizes those individuals born with a continuum of serious, life-
long disorders caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, which include 
fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders, 
and alcohol-related birth defects.

[[Page S9177]]

  Studies show that 50 percent of pregnancies in the United States are 
unplanned and many women consume alcohol before they realize they are 
pregnant, resulting in 40,000 children every year being born with fetal 
alcohol spectrum disorders and subject to a lifetime of cognitive and 
behavioral impairments. Tragically, Alaska has the highest rate of 
fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the Nation. Among Alaskan Native 
communities, the rate is 15 times higher than non-Native areas in the 
State. Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in low IQ and difficulties 
with learning, memory, attention, and problem-solving as well as 
impairment of mental health and social interactions. Prenatal alcohol 
exposure can also result in growth retardation, birth defects involving 
the heart, kidney, vision and hearing, and a characteristic pattern of 
facial abnormalities. The lifetime health costs for an individual with 
fetal alcohol syndrome are estimated at $1.4 million for medical care 
and treatment interventions. In the United States, approximately $9.7 
billion is spent annually for individuals afflicted with FASD, 
according to government reports.
  There is a great need for research, surveillance, prevention, 
treatment, and support services for individuals with fetal alcohol 
spectrum disorders and their families. It is for these reasons that I 
rise today to dedicate this Wednesday, September 9 as National Fetal 
Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day. All Americans are encouraged to promote 
awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; to increase 
compassion for individuals affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol; to 
minimize further effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; and most 
importantly to bring greater awareness to a disease that is 100 percent 
preventable!
  On behalf of the millions of individuals suffering from the lasting 
and detrimental effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and 
advocates for eliminating FASD, I encourage all Americans to observe a 
moment of reflection on the ninth hour of September 9, to remember that 
during the 9 months of pregnancy a woman should not consume any 
alcohol.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize September 9, 
2009, as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. Fetal 
Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, FASD, is an umbrella term describing the 
varied range of alcohol-related birth defects that may result from the 
use of alcohol during pregnancy. The effects of this disorder may be 
mental, behavioral, and/or involve learning disabilities. FASD is the 
leading known cause of preventable cognitive impairment in America. It 
is estimated FASD affects 1 in 100 live births each year.
  I have great concern about the impact in South Dakota and across the 
country of FASD. We must move past the stigma of this devastating 
disease to truly help those and their families who are affected by FASD 
get the health, education, counseling and support services they need 
and deserve. We must also address the tragedy of FASD at the source, by 
increasing awareness that any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can 
have heartbreaking, lifelong effects. We must work to ensure this is 
understood by all women of childbearing age and that treatment and 
counseling services are available for these women.
  One of the most distressing facts regarding FASD is that it is 
entirely preventable. I have joined several of my colleagues in the 
Senate to introduce a resolution designating September 9, 2009, as 
National FASD Awareness Day. It is my hope these efforts progress 
toward global awareness of FASD and an end to this destructive disease.

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