IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 611 
Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘Fragile X Awareness Day’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 7, 2009 
Mr. HARE (for himself, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. HARPER, and Mr. BILBRAY) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘Fragile X Awareness 
Day’’. 
Whereas fragile X syndrome is the most commonly known 
cause of inherited mental impairment in the world; 
Whereas an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeat in the 
FMR1 gene—a human gene that codes for a protein 
called fragile X mental retardation protein—causes al-
most all cases of fragile X syndrome; 
Whereas fragile X mental retardation protein is normally 
made in many tissues, especially in the brain and the tes-
tes; 
Whereas fragile X mental retardation protein may play a role 
in the development of synaptic connections between nerve 
cells in the brain where cell-to-cell communication occurs; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:53 Jul 08, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR611.IH
HR611
jbell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 611 IH 
Whereas there is a unique relationship between fragile X syn-
drome and autism; 
Whereas fragile X syndrome is the most commonly known 
single-gene cause of autism; 
Whereas up to one-half of all children diagnosed with fragile 
X syndrome also have autism or an autism spectrum dis-
order; 
Whereas over 100,000 people in the United States have frag-
ile X syndrome and over 1,000,000 people in the United 
States carry a fragile X mutation and have or are at risk 
of developing a fragile X-associated disorder; 
Whereas fragile X-associated disorders include fragile X syn-
drome, which causes language, behavioral, and develop-
mental disabilities; fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia 
syndrome—an adult onset progressive neurological condi-
tion causing tremors and balance and memory problems 
primarily in male carriers that can lead to decreased life 
expectancy; and fragile X-associated primary ovarian in-
sufficiency—a cause of infertility, early menopause, and 
other ovarian problems in female carriers; 
Whereas doctors can accurately identify and diagnose fragile 
X syndrome, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syn-
drome, and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insuffi-
ciency; 
Whereas the National Institutes of Health is currently fund-
ing a study that will lay the groundwork for screening of 
all newborns in the United States for early detection of 
the fragile X mutation; 
Whereas increased research into fragile X syndrome can lead 
to a better understanding of the disorder, more effective 
treatments, and an eventual cure; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:53 Jul 08, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR611.IH
HR611
jbell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 611 IH 
Whereas advocacy organizations have designated July 22 as 
‘‘Fragile X Awareness Day’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘Fragile X 
Awareness Day’’; 
(2) supports raising awareness and educating 
the public about fragile X syndrome and associated 
disorders; 
(3) applauds the efforts of advocates and orga-
nizations that encourage awareness, promote re-
search, and provide education, support, and hope to 
those impacted by fragile X syndrome; 
(4) recognizes the commitment of parents, fam-
ilies, researchers, health professionals, and others 
dedicated to finding an effective treatment and cure 
for fragile X syndrome; 
(5) urges all physicians, health care providers, 
and specialists to— 
(A) learn the clinical signs and symptoms 
of fragile X syndrome, fragile X-associated dis-
orders, fragile X-associated primary ovarian in-
sufficiency, and fragile X-associated tremor/ 
ataxia syndrome; 
(B) use diagnostic, developmental screen-
ing, and surveillance modalities to detect fragile 
X-associated disorders; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
02:53 Jul 08, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR611.IH
HR611
jbell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BILLS