[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 612 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 612
Designating September 9, 2010, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders Awareness Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 5, 2010
Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Specter, Mr.
Dorgan, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Hatch, and Mrs. Murray) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating September 9, 2010, as ``National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders Awareness Day''.
Whereas the term ``fetal alcohol spectrum disorders'' includes a broader range
of conditions than the term ``fetal alcohol syndrome'' 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 $6,000,000,000 in 2007, and it is estimated that each
individual with fetal alcohol syndrome will cost taxpayers of the United
States between $860,000 and $4,000,000 during the lifetime of each such
individual;
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, 2010, 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, 2010, to remember that during the
9 months of pregnancy a woman should not consume
alcohol.
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