First Annual FASD Hill Day Summary
On June 23, 2004, the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) kicked off its First Annual fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) Hill Day with a press conference on a terrace in the Cannon House office building. In presenting a new report, "Alcohol and Pregnancy Don't Mix: Binge Drinking Among Women 18–44 on the Rise," NOFAS called on Congress to provide new resources to combat the epidemic of alcohol-related birth defects. This new report, which is based on the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lists those states and districts with the highest increase in binge drinking episodes for women 18–44, including Arizona, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Connecticut and Maine. Also listed are those states with the largest decrease in binge drinking among that population, including Alabama, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky and New Hampshire. Binge drinking may increase the likelihood of FASD, the leading known cause of mental retardation. These disorders affect about 40,000 newborns a year at an estimated cost of $5.4 billion.
Pursuant to the report's release, Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) announced the formation of a new Congressional Caucus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. This new caucus will educate members of Congress about the need to incorporate FASD prevention, identification, treatment and support into upcoming legislation. Including caucus co-chairs Ramstad and Pallone, the bipartisan FASD caucus boasts 24 members from the House of Representatives. NOFAS Chairman Terry Lierman and President Tom Donaldson also spoke about the importance of recognizing the potential increased risks of alcohol-related birth defects cause by binge drinking among women of childbearing age. Dr. Gloria Wilder-Brathwaite, director of Children's Health Project of Washington, D.C., Dr. Neal Baer, executive producer of "Law and Order: SVU" joined the leaders of NOFAS and congressional leaders in calling for a renewed effort to eliminate the scourge of birth defects related to alcohol consumption among pregnant women.
Following the press conference, Dr. Edward Riley presented his latest neuropsychological research to families who traveled from as far as California to meet with their representatives in Congress. His presentation included analyses of motor deficits in rats affected by fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and human studies of Russian orphans with FAS. Also addressing this group, NOFAS director of government affairs Adam Litle outlined NOFAS' policy agenda and advised the families about how to promote their goals in Congress.
That afternoon, 45 advocates from 11 states conducted 27 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs to share their experiences as families affected by FASD. "By traveling across the country to Washington and explaining their concerns, the families here today have helped informed Congress about the importance of addressing FASD through legislation," said Donaldson.
On the evening of June 23, 150 people attended the 2004 NOFAS Leadership Awards Benefit. Honorary hosts Sen. Tom Daschle, Linda Hall Daschle, Andrew Card Jr. and Reverend Kathleene Card helped honor Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Congressman Pallone, Congressman Ramstad and Secretary Tommy Thompson, who received awards for their national leadership in working to eliminate FASD. Dr. Riley and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation received NOFAS Excellence Awards for outstanding efforts in support of the national fight against FASD.
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