III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 457 

Expressing support for the designation of November 9, 2021, as ‘‘National 

Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 

Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mrs. CAPITO, and Mr. MARKEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of November 9, 2021, 

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 an estimated 750,000 people worldwide have 

microtia; 

Whereas microtia is diagnosed at birth, affecting 1 ear or 

both ears, but there is no understanding as to why 

microtia occurs; 


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•SRES 457 IS 

Whereas aural atresia is usually diagnosed at birth, affecting 

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

Whereas doctors and nurses may be well versed in the conditions and quickly educate and prepare parents; 

Whereas, in certain settings, the conditions are rare enough 

that misinformation or lack of information 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 Senate— 

2 (1) expresses support for the designation of No3 vember 9, 2021, as ‘‘National Microtia and Atresia 

4 Awareness Day’’; 

5 (2) encourages each person of the United 

6 States— 

7 (A) to celebrate the community that is 

8 made up of not only children and adults with 

9 microtia or aural atresia, but families, teachers, 

10 advocates, and medical professionals from 

11 around the world who foster awareness and as12 sistance; and 

13 (B) to help promote public awareness of 

14 microtia, aural atresia, and the hope that fuVerDate Sep 11 2014 01:52 Nov 19, 2021 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR457.IS SR457

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•SRES 457 IS 

1 ture generations of families will leave the hos2 pital equipped with more answers than ques3 tions, along with their dream for their child in4 tact; 

5 (3) supports efforts to remove unnecessary bar6 riers and replace them with resources and tools that 

7 aim to eliminate bullying and clear the way for an 

8 even more successful future for those with microtia 

9 or atresia; 

10 (4) encourages Federal, State, and local policy11 makers to work together— 

12 (A) to raise awareness about microtia or 

13 atresia; 

14 (B) to improve proper diagnosis of 

15 microtia or atresia; and 

16 (C) to support advancements in technology 

17 that improve the lives of those with microtia 

18 and aural atresia; and 

19 (5) encourages the President to issue a procla20 mation calling upon the people of the United States 

21 to observe the day with appropriate awareness and 

22 educational activities. 

Æ 


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