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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 647 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 647

  Designating September 9, 2008, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 
                       Disorders Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2008

Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Specter, Mr. 
     Coleman, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Hatch) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating September 9, 2008, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 
                       Disorders Awareness Day''.

Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' includes a broader range 
        of conditions and therefore has replaced the term ``fetal alcohol 
        syndrome'' as the umbrella term describing the range of effects that can 
        occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during 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 
        500 live births and the incidence rate of fetal alcohol spectrum 
        disorders is estimated at 1 out of every 100 live births;
Whereas, although the economic costs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are 
        difficult to estimate, the cost of fetal alcohol syndrome alone in the 
        United States was $5,400,000,000 in 2003 and it is estimated that each 
        individual with fetal alcohol syndrome will cost taxpayers of the United 
        States between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000 in his or her lifetime;
Whereas, in February 1999, a small group of parents of children who suffer from 
        fetal alcohol spectrum disorders came together with the hope that in 1 
        magic moment the world could be made aware of the devastating 
        consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy;
Whereas the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day was 
        observed on September 9, 1999;
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, 2008, as ``National Fetal 
        Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day''; and
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States--
                    (A) to observe National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 
                Disorders Awareness Day with 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 further effects of 
                        prenatal exposure to alcohol; and
                            (iv) to ensure healthier communities across 
                        the United States; and
                    (B) to observe a moment of reflection on the ninth 
                hour of September 9, 2008, to remember that during the 
                9 months of pregnancy a woman should not consume 
                alcohol.
                                 <all>
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