[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  SENATE RESOLUTION 536--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, AS ``NATIONAL 
            FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, and Mr. 
Begich) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 536

       Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' 
     includes a broader range of conditions than the term ``fetal 
     alcohol syndrome'' and has replaced the term ``fetal alcohol 
     syndrome'' as the umbrella term describing the range of 
     effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed 
     alcohol during her 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 every 500 live births and the incidence 
     rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at 1 
     out of every 100 live births;
       Whereas, in February 1999, a small group of parents with 
     children who suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorders 
     united to promote awareness of the devastating consequences 
     of alcohol consumption during pregnancy by establishing 
     International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day;
       Whereas September 9, 1999, became the first International 
     Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day;
       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, 2012, as ``National Fetal 
     Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day 
     with--
       (A) 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 the effects of prenatal exposure to 
     alcohol; and
       (iv) to ensure healthier communities across the United 
     States; and
       (B) a moment of reflection during the ninth hour of 
     September 9, 2012, to remember that a woman should not 
     consume alcohol during the 9 months of her pregnancy.

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