[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13035-13036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 536--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, AS ``NATIONAL 
            FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, and Mr. 
Begich) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 536

       Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' 
     includes a broader range of conditions than the term ``fetal 
     alcohol syndrome'' and has replaced the term ``fetal alcohol 
     syndrome'' as the umbrella term describing the range of 
     effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed 
     alcohol during her pregnancy;
       Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the leading 
     cause of cognitive disability in Western civilization, 
     including the United States, and are 100 percent preventable;
       Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major cause 
     of numerous social disorders, including learning 
     disabilities, school failure, juvenile delinquency, 
     homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime;
       Whereas the incidence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome is 
     estimated at 1 out of every 500 live births and the incidence 
     rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at 1 
     out of every 100 live births;
       Whereas, in February 1999, a small group of parents with 
     children who suffer from fetal

[[Page 13036]]

     alcohol spectrum disorders united to promote awareness of the 
     devastating consequences of alcohol consumption during 
     pregnancy by establishing International Fetal Alcohol 
     Syndrome Awareness Day;
       Whereas September 9, 1999, became the first International 
     Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day;
       Whereas Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, the co-founder of 
     the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day, 
     asked ``What if . . . a world full of FAS/E [Fetal Alcohol 
     Syndrome/Effect] parents all got together on the ninth hour 
     of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year and asked the 
     world to remember that, during the 9 months of pregnancy, a 
     woman should not consume alcohol . . . would the rest of the 
     world listen?''; and
       Whereas, on the ninth day of the ninth month of each year 
     since 1999, communities around the world have observed 
     International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 9, 2012, as ``National Fetal 
     Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''; and
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day 
     with--
       (A) appropriate ceremonies--
       (i) to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal 
     exposure to alcohol;
       (ii) to increase compassion for individuals affected by 
     prenatal exposure to alcohol;
       (iii) to minimize the effects of prenatal exposure to 
     alcohol; and
       (iv) to ensure healthier communities across the United 
     States; and
       (B) a moment of reflection during the ninth hour of 
     September 9, 2012, to remember that a woman should not 
     consume alcohol during the 9 months of her pregnancy.

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