Reps. Miller, Donigan, Valentine, Spade, Proos, Cushingberry, Hune, Robert Jones, Meisner, Meadows, Ball, Pastor, Rick Jones, Steil, Hopgood, Gonzales, Accavitti, Bieda, Tobocman, Constan, LeBlanc, Byrnes, Leland, Alma Smith, Condino, Dean, Lemmons, Polidori, Kathleen Law, Clack, Hammon, Hammel, Shaffer, Pearce, Marleau, Melton, Vagnozzi, Warren, Mayes and Sak offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 164.

A resolution to recognize September 9, 2007, 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 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 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 9th 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 9th as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day, and has called upon all states to observe FASD Awareness Day; and

Whereas, Various awareness activities are planned around the United States including the state of Michigan; and

Whereas,  FASD Awareness Day events occur in the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month of September, and include such activities as the Celebrate Recovery, 7th Annual Walk and Rally at Belle Isle Park in Detroit on September 8, 2007; now therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize September 9, 2007, 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.