Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 2.djvu/446

 98 STAT. 1606

PUBLIC LAW 98-418—SEPT. 25, 1984

Public Law 98-418 98th Congress

•

'

Joint Resolution Sept. 25, 1984 [S.J. Res. 275]

To designate the month of October 1984 as "National Spina Bifida Month".

Whereas spina bifida is a birth defect in the spinal column which occurs in one of every one thousand births in the United States; Whereas spina bifida is the most common crippler of newborns, resulting when one or more bones in the back (vertebrae) fail to close completely during prenatal development; Whereas while the cause of spina bifida is not known, it appears to be the result of multiple environmental and genetic factors; Whereas although most of the March of Dimes and Easter Seal poster children have spina bifida, many people have not heard of the defect; Whereas only a few cities in the United States have proper care centers and specialized professionals that can provide the most effective, aggressive treatment for children and adults with spina bifida; and Whereas an increase in the national awareness of the problem of spina bifida may stimulate the interest and concern of the American people, which may lead, in turn, to increased research and eventually to the discovery of a cure for spina bifida: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the month of October 1984 is designated "National Spina Bifida Month", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe that month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved September 25, 1984.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 275: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): Aug. 10, considered and passed Senate. Sept. 12, considered and passed House.

�