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Washington, DC, September 12, 2005 - On Friday, September 9, Senator Lisa Murkowski recognized International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day in a speech made on the Senate floor. She remarked, "This morning I would like to spend a few brief moments to talk about some very young victims, some victims of a disease that is absolutely and entirely preventable. And this morning I would like to speak just very briefly about those young children that are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders."
The Senator emphasized the prevalence rates of FASD and speaking about her home state of Alaska she said, "We have the highest rate of FASD in the nation. Approximately 163 Alaskan babies are born each year affected by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. And among our native communities, the statistics are even worse. The rate of FASD is 15 times higher than nonnative areas in our state." Senator Murkowski also added that she and Senator Tim Johnson would introduce
The Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act this Fall..
For a full version of Senator Murkowski's floor remarks, please click here: Murkowski Floor Statement 9 9 05
In 1999, Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, a birth mother of a daughter with FASD, organized the first International FASD Awareness Day, a worldwide collective effort to raise awareness for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The day began as a poignant effort by a group of committed families, advocates and volunteers to warn the world about the dangers to a child born to a mother who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. The symbolic recognition of the nine months of pregnancy—the moment of nines: ninth minute, ninth hour, ninth day, ninth month—is observed each year as International FASD Day.
Earlier this year, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the effort to pass a resolution among the United States Senate formally recognizing September 9 as FASD Awareness Day in the United States. For details, please visit: http://fasday.com/2005SenRes141.htm. Several states have also issued proclamations dedicated to FASD awareness.
FASD Awareness Day 2005 marks the 7th anniversary of the first International FASD Awareness Day. Families, caregivers and advocates from all around the world gathered to raise awareness, so that the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol consumption. Several activities have been planned across the United States to observe FASD Day. The following link has details of events and activities from the US and around the world. http://www.fasday.com/
NOFAS observed the day by reaching out to Congress through its Congressional Outreach Project. NOFAS also co-sponsored several community based initiatives through our affiliates in Washington, South Dakota, Minnesota and Connecticut. Kathy Mitchell, NOFAS Vice President, National Spokesperson and a birth mother of a daughter with FASD traveled to South Dakota for a two-day training session for foster care and adoption professionals and families. The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome hosted a pregnant pause public awareness campaign. CalFAS (California Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Organization) gathered advocates at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on the North Capitol steps where they were joined by representatives from many of the state level agencies. CalFAS would like to acknowledge the special support from Cynthia Jaynes of the Office of Perinatal Substance Abuse from the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
For more information on activities in California contact Eva Carner (951) 677-0578. CalFAS recommends that you visit http://www.ninezero.org and http://www.fasday.com for more ideas and information about how you can involve your community in FASD awareness.
In Washington State, NOFAS WA hosted an Awareness Event in Everett, Washington. The Governor of the State issued an official proclamation observing September 9th as FASD Day in the State of Washington. NOFAS WA also hosted a family picnic which was attended by state representatives, professionals and caregivers. The awareness campaign entailed the display of 480 stick figures to represent approximately 48,000 people in Washington State with Alcohol Related Disabilities. For more information contact NOFAS WA at www.nofaswa.org
NOFAS South Dakota organized a FASD Seminar for Adoptive/Foster Families & Professionals with NOFAS’ Kathy Mitchell and Marcia Maltaverne as speakers. They also observed a moment of silence as a minute of reflection and coordinated the commemoration of the day with churches in Sioux Falls to participate in the bell concordance.
NOFAS CT hosted a "FASD Educational Breakfast for Policymakers and Service Providers" at the state capital in Hartford. Ann Wilson of the ARC of New Jersey was the guest speaker. Among those that attended were
the Special Assistant to Senator Christopher Dodd and the Assistant Director of Public Affairs from the Office of Governor Rell.
Other state offices from the Departments of Mental Health, Public Health, Addictions and the Connecticut Birth to Three Program were also among those present.
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