Public Law 99–220

Joint Resolution

Designating the week beginning January 12, 1986, as “National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Week”.

Whereas fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the three major known causes of birth defects with accompanying mental retardation in the United States;

Whereas fetal alcohol syndrome can result in such serious health problems as: deficiencies in prenatal and postnatal growth that are associated with mental retardation; developmental disabilities that may cause an infant to experience delays in learning to walk and speak; and heart defects, including defects in the wall between the pumping chambers of the heart;

Whereas in cases in which fetal alcohol syndrome is avoided, infants may still experience alcohol-related birth effects, known as fetal alcohol effects, which are a series of health problems that include increased irritability during the newborn period and hyperactivity;

Whereas the discovery of fetal alcohol syndrome as a major health problem is a recent occurrence, and many questions regarding the illness remain unanswered;

Whereas there has never been an infant born with fetal alcohol syndrome whose mother did not consume alcohol during pregnancy;

Whereas fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented if pregnant women and women considering pregnancy abstain from alcohol consumption; and

Whereas the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service has issued an advisory stating that pregnant women and women considering pregnancy should not consume alcohol: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Approved December 26, 1985.