SR-80, As Adopted by Senate, September 3, 2013

Senator Hopgood offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 80.

A resolution to recognize September 9, 2013, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.

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 designated as a birth disorder by United States researchers; and

Whereas, Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause birth defects, mental retardation, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorders; 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 1,000 live births, and the incidence rate of FASD is estimated at 1 out of every 100 live births; 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; and

Whereas, The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution designating September 9 as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day and has called upon all states to observe FASD Awareness Day; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize September 9, 2013, as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day 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 within their power to reduce the incidence of FASD in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education.