[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 714 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 714

      Recognizing and supporting individuals born with congenital 
       disabilities or malformations due to thalidomide exposure.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 23, 2024

 Mr. Kennedy submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Recognizing and supporting individuals born with congenital 
       disabilities or malformations due to thalidomide exposure.

Whereas July 14th, 2024, is ``National Thalidomide Survivor Awareness Day'';
Whereas thalidomide is a sedative drug that was widely used in the late 1950s to 
        treat nausea in pregnant women;
Whereas thalidomide treatment resulted in irreversible side effects among 
        babies, including stillbirths and congenital disabilities or 
        malformations;
Whereas such congenital disabilities or malformations include the shortening or 
        absence of limbs, the malformation of hands and feet, sensory 
        impairment, facial disfigurement, and damage to the brain, internal 
        organs, and skeletal structure, among other disabilities;
Whereas an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 children worldwide died at birth or were 
        born with congenital disabilities or malformations attributable to 
        thalidomide exposure;
Whereas it is estimated that there are at least 20 survivors of thalidomide 
        exposure in the State of Louisiana alone;
Whereas thalidomide survivors face unique hardships requiring many to rely on 
        adapted vehicles, electronic wheelchairs, and prosthetic limbs;
Whereas the reliance on adaptive technologies imposes great financial burden on 
        thalidomide survivors;
Whereas thalidomide survivors are often unable to maintain full-time employment 
        due to their impairments;
Whereas the experience of thalidomide victims has greatly influenced the passage 
        of modern drug safety laws; and
Whereas thalidomide survivors have not received recognition or support from the 
        Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes and supports individuals born with 
        congenital disabilities or malformations due to thalidomide 
        exposure; and
            (2) urges the recognition of such exposure in United States 
        history and the long-term hardships affecting survivors of 
        thalidomide exposure to this day.
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