[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 68 (Monday, April 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN CRENSHAW

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 24, 2023

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National 
Infertility Awareness Week. In the United States, infertility impacts 
at least 1 in 8 couples.
  The impact of infertility is devastating for people who are trying to 
build a family and can take a serious toll on their mental and 
emotional health. Many people face difficulty in accessing or affording 
treatments. Infertility can impact anyone, and for many people the 
underlying cause is never known.
  Infertility has a serious impact on everyone, but it can be 
particularly challenging for men and woman in the military and our 
veterans. Studies have shown that among veterans, infertility is nearly 
twice as prevalent as it is among the general population. This can be 
for a variety of factors including the significant stress that members 
of the military are under, exposure to environmental toxins, and other 
hazards of their service to our country. In 2021, Blue Star Families 
issued its annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey. The survey found 
that 67 percent of military families have experienced at least one 
family building challenge in their lifetime.
  This week, I ask all of my colleagues in Congress to support our 
military and veterans who are struggling to have a child.

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