[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H3622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL FRAGILE X AWARENESS DAY

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today on National 
Fragile X Awareness Day to raise awareness of this genetic disorder.
  Fragile X is caused by mutations in the gene known as FMR1. These 
mutations can result in behavioral, developmental, cognitive, and 
reproductive conditions, often leading to delayed development of speech 
and language. In the most severe cases, fragile X can cause potentially 
fatal neurodegenerative conditions.
  Fragile X syndrome affects an estimated 100,000 Americans. But more 
than 1 million Americans have a variation of the fragile X mutation, 
meaning they either have or are at risk of developing one of the 
associated conditions.
  This means each Member of this House, on average, represents 230 
constituents living with fragile X syndrome, and countless more 
parents, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers love someone with 
fragile X.
  Each person living with fragile X syndrome, and any other 
intellectual and developmental disability, makes our world a better 
place.

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