house resolution no.164
Rep. Vaupel offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Healthy children are the most important resource in the great state of Michigan and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) pose a serious threat to the potential health of our future generations; and
Whereas, More than 30 years have passed since Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) was identified and named as a birth disorder by United States researchers; and
Whereas, Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause birth defects, mental disorders, learning disabilities, and attention deficits; and
Whereas, The estimated number of FASD per year is over 30,000. The incidence rate of full FAS is estimated at 1 out of every 1,000 live births and the incidence rate of FASD is estimated at 1 out of every 100 live births; and
Whereas, The U.S. Surgeon General states that there is no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders can only be prevented by avoiding alcohol entirely during pregnancy; and
Whereas, Individuals with FASD often have secondary hardships such as trouble with the law, substance abuse issues, disrupted school experiences, employment problems, and homelessness; and
Whereas, FASD is entirely preventable; and
Whereas, People around the world began observing International FAS Awareness Day on September 9 of each year beginning in 1999 in order that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year the world will remember that a woman should abstain from alcohol during the nine months of pregnancy. Starting in 2015, the month of September was recognized as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Month; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 22-28, 2019, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Week in the state of Michigan. We strongly urge all citizens to increase their knowledge of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, to increase their level of compassion for individuals affected by FASD, and to do all which may lie in their power to reduce the incidence of FASD in the state of Michigan in the future.