PRINTER'S NO. 1946
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
361
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, BROWNE, BARTOLOTTA, COSTA, PHILLIPS-HILL,
J. WARD, BLAKE, FONTANA, KILLION, SANTARSIERO, MARTIN,
MENSCH, TARTAGLIONE, STEFANO, PITTMAN, ARNOLD AND DINNIMAN,
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of September 2020 as "Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an
umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in
an individual who is exposed to alcohol before birth; and
WHEREAS, Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable
cause of birth defects and intellectual and developmental
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The exact number of people who have FASDs is
unknown, but it is estimated that up to 1 in 20 school children
in the United States may have an FASD, a rate comparable to
Autism, and about 40,000 babies are born with effects of
prenatal alcohol exposure annually; and
WHEREAS, The lifetime cost for one individual with Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome is estimated to be $2 million, with an annual
combined cost to the United States alone of more than $4
billion; and
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WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 1 in 9 pregnant women report alcohol use and about 1
in 26 report binge drinking during pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, Many women may not know that they are pregnant for
the first four to six weeks contributing to late entry into
prenatal care and presenting a barrier to optimal pregnancy
management particularly during the crucial early weeks; and
WHEREAS, The good health and well-being of the people of
Luzerne and Wyoming Counties are enhanced by the support of a
national effort to educate and prevent FASDs; and
WHEREAS, The Counties of Luzerne and Wyoming join with
Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services and Luzerne-Wyoming
Counties Drug and Alcohol Program as well as many dedicated
volunteers, health care professionals, educators and parent
groups by participating in this promotion; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of September
2020 as "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate pledge to continue to partner with
organizations, health care professionals, educators and the
public to raise awareness that pregnancy and alcohol do not mix.
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