[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17076]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                 AUTISM

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I had a bill I had worked on for about 6 
years, the autism bill that was passed tonight. A lot of us made 
statements earlier in the night, but it is a real pleasure, in part as 
a physician who is at least sensitive to the real challenges we have in 
terms of addressing issues such as autism, which has had a rapid 
increase in incidence over the last two decades.
  We have no idea why. It makes you very humble to realize our lack of 
understanding. But what is exciting is that by pulling together the 
very best of the public and private sectors, physicians, doctors, 
families, parents, and communities all gathering together, we can make 
some real headway in figuring out the etiology of autism and 
manifestations, about understanding that and improving treatment and 
ultimately a cure.
  I am very proud of this body and especially Senator Santorum for his 
tremendous leadership in that regard.

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