[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 19988-19989]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM AWARENESS DAY

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, so many Members of this Chamber have 
stood on the floor this past week to speak about the victims of the 
disaster, the catastrophe down in the gulf region, to speak of the 
victims of Hurricane Katrina. This morning I would like to spend a few 
brief moments to talk about some other victims, some very young 
victims, victims of a disease that is absolutely entirely preventable. 
This morning I speak very briefly about those young children who are 
born with a fetal alcohol disorder.
  The ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month having arrived 
today, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate observe a very brief 
moment of reflection to remind women who are pregnant or those who may 
soon become pregnant that no amount of alcohol--none at all--is safe to 
consume during the 9 months of pregnancy.
  If we may have a brief moment of reflection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (moment of silence.)
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, thank you.
  By raising awareness one moment, one person at a time, we can 
minimize the harm that drinking during pregnancy causes to our most 
vulnerable population, and that is our children.
  In February of 1999, there was a small group of parents who were 
raising children afflicted with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. These 
parents set out to change the world. That small group started an online 
support group which quickly became a worldwide grassroots movement to 
observe September 9 as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 
Awareness Day. Former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle was 
instrumental in having the Senate take notice of this important issue. 
He has worked very hard on this issue, and continues so today. We thank 
him for his efforts.
  This year, for the seventh consecutive year, communities across the 
Nation are pausing at the hour of 9:09 a.m. to acknowledge this day.
  Events are occurring in cities and towns not just across the country 
but around the world--from Chilliwack, British Columbia, to Cape Town, 
South Africa, to Madagascar. Families are joining today to raise 
awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, or FASD.
  In Alaska, Alaskans will observe this day in solemn events in 
Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai, Fairbanks, and other communities.
  FASD is an umbrella term that describes a range of physical and 
mental birth defects that can occur in a fetus when a pregnant woman 
consumes alcohol. It is a leading cause of nonhereditary mental 
retardation in the United States. Many children affected by maternal 
drinking during pregnancy have irreversible conditions, including 
severe brain damage. It is causing permanent lifelong disability. We 
have to keep this in perspective.
  FASD is 100 percent preventable. Prevention merely requires a woman 
to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. Knowing that it is entirely 
preventable, it is amazing to me to think that every year in this 
country an estimated 1 in every 100 babies are born with FASD. That is 
about 40,000 infants annually. FASD affects more children than Down's 
syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy 
combined.
  The cost of FASD is huge: More than $3 billion each year in direct 
health care costs and many times that amount in lost human potential. 
Lifetime health costs for an individual living with FASD can average 
$860,000.
  The indirect financial and social costs to the Nation are even 
greater, including specialized health care, education, foster care, job 
training, cost of incarceration, general support services.
  All in all, the direct and indirect economic costs of FASD in the 
United States are estimated to be $5.4 billion. FASD is found in every 
community in America, in Native, non-Native, rich, poor. It does not 
discriminate.
  That is why, last February, the U.S. Surgeon General, Richard 
Carmona, again issued another advisory, to protect women, to completely 
abstain from alcohol use.
  In Alaska, we have very troubling statistics as they relate to FASD. 
We have the highest rate of FASD in the Nation. Approximately 163 
Alaskan babies are born each year affected by maternal alcohol use 
during pregnancy. Among our Native communities, the statistics are even 
worse. The rate of FASD is 15 times higher than non-Native areas in our 
State.
  This is a disease syndrome that is 100 percent preventable. We can 
save so many children, so many families, so much heartache simply by 
increasing people's awareness of what FASD is and how we can prevent 
it.
  In fact, prevention of FASD is seven times more cost effective than 
treating the disorder. That is why Senator Johnson and I and several 
other Senators from both sides of the aisle will soon introduce 
legislation to direct more resources toward this terrible problem. The 
legislation we are introducing is called the Advancing FASD Research, 
Prevention and Services Act. It is designed to develop and implement 
targeted State and community-based outreach programs to improve 
coordination among Federal agencies involved in FASD treatment and 
research by establishing stronger communication with these programs and 
also to improve support services for families and strengthening 
educational outreach efforts to doctors, teachers, judges, and others 
whose work puts them in contact with those with FASD.
  Mr. President, 40,000 American children a year are born with FASD. 
Our investment today in prevention, treatment, and research will save 
countless and future health care costs of this devastating, but 
entirely preventable, disorder.
  I ask my colleagues to join with Senator Johnson and I in supporting 
the advancing FASD Research, Prevention and Services Act.
  Today, on Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day, let us remember all innocent 
babies afflicted with this disorder and let us imagine the potential 
they could have but for this damage from alcohol. I hope we continue to 
recognize, to pause in the ninth hour of the ninth day of each 
September until fetal alcohol syndrome disorders are eradicated.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.

[[Page 19989]]

  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________