[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24295-24296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 7, 2003

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity 
to pay tribute to the more than 70,000 Americans and their family 
members who are currently affected by Spina Bifida. October is National 
Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Spina Bifida is the Nation's most common, 
permanently disabling birth defect. It is a neural tube defect that 
occurs when the central nervous system does not properly close during 
the early stages of pregnancy. Each year more than 4,000 pregnancies 
are affected and of these 1,500 babies are born with Spina Bifida.

  I would like to especially recognize Angeline Gonzalez-Abreu, the 
niece of my Chief of Staff, Arthur Estopinan. Angie is a precious 
little three year old who was born with Spina Bifida. She is an 
absolute delight who brings great joy to all who are blessed to know 
her. I have had the great pleasure of spending time with this vivacious 
little bundle of joy, and am moved by the tremendous progress she has 
made in her life thus far.

  The Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA), an organization that 
has helped people with Spina Bifida and their families for nearly 30 
years, works tirelessly to prevent and reduce suffering from this 
devastating birth defect.

  I would like to acknowledge and thank SBAA and the local chapters in 
my State for all that they have done for the Floridian families 
affected by this birth defect.

  The exact cause of Spina Bifida is not known, but researchers have 
concluded that women of childbearing age who take daily folic acid 
supplements reduce their chances of having a Spina Bifida pregnancy by 
up to 75 percent.

  I am proud to be a member of the newly established Congressional 
Spina Bifida Caucus. The Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus will bring 
increased attention to this condition and advance initiatives that will 
improve the quality of life for those individuals and their families 
living with Spina Bifida.

  I again wish to thank the SBAA and its chapters for all of their hard 
work to prevent and reduce suffering from this birth defect and for 
their commitment to improve the lives of those 70,000 individuals 
living with Spina Bifida throughout our Nation. I wish the Spina Bifida 
Association of America the best of luck in its endeavors and urge all 
of my colleagues and all Americans to support its important efforts.

[[Page 24296]]



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