[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 118 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6907-S6908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 612--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 9, 2010, AS ``NATIONAL 
            FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Specter, 
Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Hatch, and Mrs. Murray) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 612

       Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' 
     includes a broader range of conditions than the term ``fetal 
     alcohol syndrome'' 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 cognitive disability 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 although the economic costs of fetal alcohol 
     spectrum disorders are difficult to estimate, the cost of 
     fetal alcohol syndrome alone in the United States was 
     $6,000,000,000 in 2007, and it is estimated that each 
     individual with fetal alcohol syndrome will cost taxpayers of 
     the United States between $860,000 and $4,000,000 during the 
     lifetime of each such individual;
       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, 2010, as ``National Fetal 
     Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''; and
       (2) calls upon the people of the United States--
       (A) to observe National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 
     Awareness Day with appropriate ceremonies--
       (i) to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal 
     exposure to alcohol;
       (ii) to increase compassion for individuals affected by 
     prenatal exposure to alcohol;
       (iii) to minimize further effects of prenatal exposure to 
     alcohol; and
       (iv) to ensure healthier communities across the United 
     States; and
       (B) to observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of 
     September 9, 2010, to remember that during the 9 months of 
     pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol.

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