Lisa Murkowski: “tomorrow is the ninth day of the ninth month, a day designated as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day. I…”

“tomorrow is the ninth day of the ninth month, a day designated as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day. I rise today to state that it is imperative that we continue to spread the word that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume during the 9 months of pregnancy. By continuing to raise awareness, we can hopefully minimize the harm that drinking during pregnancy causes our most vulnerable population-- our children. In February of 1999, a small group of parents, raising children afflicted with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, set out to change the world. That small group started a support group which quickly became a worldwide grassroots movement to observe September 9 as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. This year, for the eighth consecutive year, events are occurring in cities and towns not just across the country but around the world. In my State of Alaska, I am proud that events are occurring in Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. Citizens from my State are raising awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy though a variety of events, such as passing out brochures with preventative messages to physicians' offices, delivering cocktail napkins to area bars with a message stamped on them that reminds pregnant women to not drink, and conducting high school assemblies which teach students about the dangers of alcohol on the developing fetus.…”