Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Thursday, October 3, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond today announced that last night, his legislation to strengthen the nation’s efforts to prevent birth defects and developmental disabilities in children passed the full Senate.

“Many folks don’t realize that birth defects affect over 3 percent of all births in America, and they are the leading cause of infant death. This year alone, an estimated 150,000 babies will be born with birth defects,” said Bond. “There is still much work to be done to improve the health of all Americans by preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities in children, promoting optimal child development and ensuring the health and wellness among those already living with disabilities. Bringing this problem to light is an important step, and I am pleased my colleagues acted so quickly on this legislation.”

Along with Senators Dodd, Kennedy and Frist, Bond introduced the Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Prevention Act in September. Bond believes the bill will not only renew the commitment to birth defects prevention, but will also improve the quality of life of those living with disabilities. Last night, Bond’s bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent. The legislation must now pass the House of Representatives before being sent to the President to be signed into law.

Since Bond served as Missouri’s Governor, he has had a strong interest in birth defects prevention. In the Senate, he has continued his advocacy for healthy children. Bond helped pass the Birth Defects Prevention Act in 1998, which created a federal birth defects prevention and surveillance strategy. Again in 2000, Bond authored several important pieces of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, including a provision which established the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Center for Disease Control.

“The March of Dimes is deeply grateful to Senator Bond for his long standing dedication to improving the health of America's children. S. 2980 reaffirms the national commitment to preventing birth defects and developmental disabilities, the principal cause of infant mortality and a major threat to children's health,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. She added "the March of Dimes calls on the House of Representatives to pass this legislation and send it to the President for his signature.”

“The Spina Bifida Association of America thanks Senator Bond and his Senate colleagues for passing S. 2980–a measure that will help prevent Spina Bifida and work to improve quality of life for the more than 70,000 adults and children living with Spina Bifida throughout our nation,” says Cindy Brownstein, CEO of the Spina Bifida Association of America. “This important legislation recognizes that we must do more to ensure that people with Spina Bifida can live the most productive and meaningful lives possible.”

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.