Bill Delahunt: “I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, it was some 13 years ago that a friend of mine at home…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, it was some 13 years ago that a friend of mine at home approached me and described to me the characteristics and symptoms of a disorder he called fragile x. He demonstrated a familiarity with fragile x that was extraordinary, but he was talking about his son. I was embarrassed because I had no idea what he was talking about, but I was certainly not alone. I, like many Americans, had never heard of fragile x, but his passion and our friendship motivated me to work with my colleagues to address this issue which is of such concern to so many in this country. And it is this lack of awareness that is at the heart of the problem. Most people who exhibit the characteristics of fragile x are not tested due to a simple lack of understanding, and this applies to both the medical community and to the general population. For that reason, I joined with two champions, Mr. Harper of Mississippi and Mr. Hare, my friend and colleague on this side of the aisle, to reestablish the Fragile X Caucus. The goal has simply been to raise public awareness of this rather obscure disease, this disorder. So today we speak on the resolution to commemorate--or re- commemorate--Fragile X Awareness Day, which is tomorrow, July 22, and to continue in an effort to raise awareness. Fragile x is the most common known genetic cause of autism. It affects one in 4,000 males and one in 6,000 females of all races and ethnic groups.…”