Reps. Spade, Miller, Sak, Kehrl, Bennett, Gillard, Sheltrown, Accavitti, Bieda, Anderson, Ball, Brown, Byrum, Caul, Clack, Condino, Gleason, Gonzales, Green, Hopgood, Kolb, Kooiman, David Law, Leland, Lemmons III, Marleau, Mayes, McConico, Meisner, Meyer, Mortimer, Murphy, Plakas, Polidori, Proos, Shaffer, Alma Smith, Stahl, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Van Regenmorter, Waters and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 124.

A resolution recognizing September 9, 2005, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day and the month of September 2005 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, the range of effects including fetal alcohol syndrome that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, are the leading cause of mental retardation in western civilization, including the United States.  These are found in all racial and socio-economic groups, and are 100 percent preventable; and

Whereas, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which cause a lifetime of negative effects, are a major cause of numerous social disorders, including learning disabilities, school failure, juvenile delinquency, homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime; and

Whereas, The incidence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome is estimated at 1 out of 500 live births.  The incidence rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated at 1 out of every 100 live births; and

Whereas, The economic cost of fetal alcohol syndrome alone to the Nation was $5,400,000,000 in 2003 and it is estimated that each individual with fetal alcohol syndrome will cost United States taxpayers between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000 in his or her lifetime; and

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 by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize September 9, 2005, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day and the month of September 2005 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month in the state of Michigan; be it further

Resolved, That we to recognize and promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol and increase compassion for individuals affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, minimize further effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, and ensure healthier communities across Michigan, and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other concerned organizations throughout the State of Michigan.