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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Motion to Proceed

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 8, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense


NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009--MOTION TO PROCEED -- (Senate - September 08, 2008)

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INTERNATIONAL FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise very briefly to recognize tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9, as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. This is a day to bring a voice to the numerous children--many children--born with a continuum of serious, lifelong disorders caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, which includes fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders, and alcohol-related birth defects. The lifetime health costs for people afflicted with fetal alcohol syndrome is at least $2 million, and the overall cost of fetal alcohol syndrome in the United States is estimated to be at least $6 billion. That was back in 2007. There is a great need for research, surveillance, prevention, treatment, and support services for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and for their families.

It is for these reasons I rise today to dedicate September 9 as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day and encourage all my fellow Americans to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; to increase compassion for individuals affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol; to minimize further effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; and, most importantly, to bring greater awareness to a disease that is absolutely 100 percent preventable.

Communities around the world will observe a moment of silence at 9 minutes after 9 tomorrow, on September 9, to remind women that no alcohol during pregnancy is safe. For the past 6 years, the Senate has passed a resolution highlighting and bringing awareness to this issue. It is my understanding that all resolutions are currently being blocked, so we may not have one this year. But today, on behalf of the millions of individuals suffering from the lasting and detrimental effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, I encourage all Americans to observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month to remind them that no amount of alcohol--none at all--is safe during the 9 months of pregnancy.

With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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