IA
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. J. RES. 230
To designate the period commencing on February 14, 1994, and ending
on February 20, 1994, as ‘‘Children of Alcoholics Week’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 14, 1993
Mr. BACCHUS of Florida introduced the following joint resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service
JOINT RESOLUTION
To designate the period commencing on February 14, 1994,
and ending on February 20, 1994, as ‘‘Children of Alco-
holics Week’’.
Whereas it is estimated that there are over 28,000,000 chil-
dren of alcoholics in the United States, of whom
6,600,000 are under the age of 18;
Whereas there is strong scientific evidence that alcoholism
runs in families with children of alcoholics being 2 to 4
times more likely to develop alcoholism than children of
nonalcoholics;
Whereas parental alcoholism has a significant impact on the
health of children and on the health care system, with
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children of alcoholics being admitted to hospitals at a 24
percent greater rate, using hospital days at a 62 percent
greater rate, incurring hospital charges at a 36 percent
greater rate, and incurring total health care charges at
a 32 percent greater rate, than other children;
Whereas parental alcohol abuse is a significant factor in a
large proportion of child abuse and neglect cases;
Whereas young children of alcoholics exhibit symptoms of de-
pression and anxiety to a greater extent than children of
nonalcoholics;
Whereas young children of alcoholics often have difficulty in
school and are more likely to be truant, drop out of
school, repeat grades, or be referred to a school counselor
or psychologist;
Whereas children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome suffer from a
range of deficits that include dysmorphic facial features,
growth retardation, intellectual impairment, and disrup-
tive behavior patterns and children with Fetal Alcohol
Effect suffer from significant, although less severe, defi-
cits;
Whereas children of alcoholics, with the interest and help of
family, friends, health professionals, teachers, clergy, and
others, can avoid the negative effects of familial alcohol-
ism;
Whereas this resolution seeks to raise the level of public and
professional awareness on behalf of the families and chil-
dren affected by alcohol addiction;
Whereas by bringing attention to the plight of the children
of alcoholics, the Congress will be offering hope and en-
couragement for these innocent victims and will be taking
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a significant step forward toward ending the generational
cycle of addiction;
Whereas a national week of recognition would give individuals
and local, State, and national organizations the oppor-
tunity to break the silence often surrounding familial al-
coholism; and
Whereas in recognition of the Tenth Anniversary of the es-
tablishment of the National Association for Children of
Alcoholics: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the period commencing on February 10, 1994, and
ending on February 20, 1994, is designated as ‘‘Children
of Alcoholics Week’’, and the President is authorized and
requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people
of the United States to observe such period with appro-
priate ceremonies, programs, and activities.
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