[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20652]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME DISORDERS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, last week, we marked National Fetal 
Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day. Today, I rise to join Senators Johnson, 
Murkowski, Murray and Dodd as we introduce legislation to address the 
prevention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders.
  I have met with many families in Illinois who have made real for me 
the challenges, the frustrations and the hope that come with a fetal 
alcohol syndrome disorder. Vivian Botka brought a picture that her 22-
year-old daughter Kristy had colored with crayons. Kristy requires 
around-the-clock care. Walt Teichen and his family are working to build 
an independent living home for young adults affected by fetal alcohol 
syndrome. They want to establish a home for young people such as their 
son Kevin, who craves independence from his parents yet needs the 
support and vigilance of adults who understand his limitations.
  Last year, then-Minority Leader Tom Daschle proposed the most 
ambitious, comprehensive plan in America's history to advance FASD 
research, treatment, and prevention. I am honored to join my colleagues 
as we introduce this legislation because, as Senator Daschle says, it 
is easier to raise a healthy child than heal a broken adult. It is more 
compassionate and, in the end, more cost-effective to prevent FASD and 
help families living with it than it is to ignore it.
  To decrease the occurrence of mental retardation and birth defects, 
we must address their most preventable cause--alcohol use during 
pregnancy. FASD affects an estimated 40,000 infants each year. That is 
1 out of every 100 births in the United States. The mental, physical 
and neurobehavioral effects of FASD include deformities in major 
organs, slow development, learning difficulties, low IQs, and problems 
with coordination, memory, attention, and judgment.
  We can make a difference in the lives of affected families in 
Illinois and throughout this country. We can prevent fetal alcohol 
syndrome disorders. Please join me in supporting the Advancing FASD 
Prevention and Treatment Act.

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