Rep. Jenkins offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 307.    

A resolution to declare September 9, 2012, 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 named as a birth disorder by United States researchers; and

Whereas, Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause birth defects, mental retardation,

learning disabilities, and attention deficits; and

Whereas, The estimated number of FASD per year is over 30,000; and

Whereas, 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 House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body

declare September 9, 2012, 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 which may lie in their power to reduce the incidence of FASD in the state of Michigan

in the future.