IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 867 

Expressing support for the designation of November 9, 2023, as ‘‘National 

Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 13, 2023 

Mr. NEGUSE (for himself, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. ALLRED, Mr. CARTER of 

Louisiana, Ms. CHU, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. PETTERSEN, Mr. 

TONKO, and Mr. TRONE) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of November 9, 2023, 

as ‘‘National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day’’. 

Whereas microtia is a congenital anomaly, affecting the outer 

ear, where the ear does not fully develop during the first 

trimester of pregnancy; 

Whereas microtia is often accompanied by aural atresia, 

which is the absence or closure of the external auditory 

ear canal resulting in hearing loss; 

Whereas it is estimated that there are 750,000 people worldwide with microtia; 

Whereas microtia is diagnosed at birth, affecting one ear or 

both ears, but there is no understanding as to why 

microtia occurs; 


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•HRES 867 IH 

Whereas aural atresia is usually diagnosed at birth, affecting 

one ear or both ears, but in some cases may not be recognized until later in life; 

Whereas doctors and nurses may be informed of microtia and 

aural atresia, in certain settings, the conditions are rare 

enough that misinformation or lack of information on options and services, quickly evaporates any remaining 

sense of celebration that accompanies a birth; and 

Whereas living with facial challenges such as craniofacial 

microsomia and hearing loss, as well as the longing for 

social acceptance, are some of the daily concerns for individuals who are born with microtia or aural atresia: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses support for the designation of 

3 ‘‘National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day’’; 

4 (2) encourages each person of the United 

5 States— 

6 (A) to celebrate the community that is 

7 made up of not only children and adults with 

8 microtia or aural atresia, but families, teachers, 

9 advocates, and medical professionals from 

10 around the world who foster awareness and as11 sistance; and 

12 (B) to help promote public awareness of 

13 microtia, aural atresia, and the hope that fu14 ture generations of families will leave the hos15 pital equipped with more answers than quesVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:29 Nov 14, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR867.IH HR867

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1 tions, along with their dreams for their child in2 tact; 

3 (3) supports efforts to remove unnecessary bar4 riers and replace them with resources and tools that 

5 aim to eliminate bullying and clear the way for an 

6 even more successful future for those with microtia 

7 or atresia; 

8 (4) encourages Federal, State, and local policy9 makers to work together— 

10 (A) to raise awareness about microtia and 

11 aural atresia; 

12 (B) to improve proper diagnosis of 

13 microtia and aural atresia; and 

14 (C) to support advancements in technology 

15 that improve the lives of those with microtia 

16 and aural atresia; and 

17 (5) encourages the President to issue a procla18 mation calling upon the people of the United States 

19 to observe the day with appropriate awareness and 

20 educational activities. 

Æ 


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