[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 170 (Friday, October 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 NATIONAL SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH

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                            HON. PAUL TONKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2022

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as 
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and to pay tribute to my 
constituents with Spina Bifida and their loved ones.
  In the past I have been honored to have the opportunity to attend the 
Spina Bifida Walk and Roll as well as the Spina Bifida Dare to Dream 
Gala which are both held by the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) of 
Northeastern New York. During these special events SBA raised funds for 
research, brought awareness to the public, and told the stories of 
those in our community with this disease.
  There are currently an estimated 166,000 individuals in the United 
States living with Spina Bifida. According to the CDC, each year 
approximately 1,400 babies born in the United States have Spina Bifida. 
While there is no known cause, we know that taking folic acid before 
and during the first three months of pregnancy helps reduce the 
incidence of Spina Bifida.
  I am so impressed with the breakthroughs in research that have helped 
to give those living with this disease a more fulfilling life. Thanks 
to the work of organizations like SBA, new medical treatments and 
technologies have been developed that allow most people with Spina 
Bifida to live a normal life span, ensuring they can have a full 
career, get married, and start a family--no different than those 
without this disease.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to ensure that organizations like the Spina Bifida 
Association continue to receive the funding and support they have 
earned. I also will continue to support federal research funding for 
better understanding the condition, the cause, and treatments. I hope 
that together we can continue to raise awareness.

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