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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 240 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 240

  Designating September 9, 2009, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum 
                       Disorders Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 4, 2009

Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Dorgan, and Mr. 
 Specter) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Designating September 9, 2009, 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, 2009, 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, 2009, to remember that during the 
                9 months of pregnancy a woman should not consume 
                alcohol.
                                 <all>
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