[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3893-S3894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 714--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS BORN WITH 
  CONGENITAL DISABILITIES OR MALFORMATIONS DUE TO THALIDOMIDE EXPOSURE

  Mr. KENNEDY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 714

       Whereas July 14th, 2024, is ``National Thalidomide Survivor 
     Awareness Day'';
       Whereas thalidomide is a sedative drug that was widely used 
     in the late 1950s to treat nausea in pregnant women;
       Whereas thalidomide treatment resulted in irreversible side 
     effects among babies, including stillbirths and congenital 
     disabilities or malformations;
       Whereas such congenital disabilities or malformations 
     include the shortening or absence of limbs, the malformation 
     of hands and feet, sensory impairment, facial disfigurement, 
     and damage to the brain, internal organs, and skeletal 
     structure, among other disabilities;
       Whereas an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 children worldwide 
     died at birth or were born with congenital disabilities or 
     malformations attributable to thalidomide exposure;
       Whereas it is estimated that there are at least 20 
     survivors of thalidomide exposure in the State of Louisiana 
     alone;
       Whereas thalidomide survivors face unique hardships 
     requiring many to rely on adapted vehicles, electronic 
     wheelchairs, and prosthetic limbs;
       Whereas the reliance on adaptive technologies imposes great 
     financial burden on thalidomide survivors;

[[Page S3894]]

       Whereas thalidomide survivors are often unable to maintain 
     full-time employment due to their impairments;
       Whereas the experience of thalidomide victims has greatly 
     influenced the passage of modern drug safety laws; and
       Whereas thalidomide survivors have not received recognition 
     or support from the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and supports individuals born with 
     congenital disabilities or malformations due to thalidomide 
     exposure; and
       (2) urges the recognition of such exposure in United States 
     history and the long-term hardships affecting survivors of 
     thalidomide exposure to this day.

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