(Letterhead with your organization’s name and address)
(Date written)
(Name of Governor)

(Address at state capital)

Dear (Name of Governor)

On behalf of the people of the state of (name of your state), I am writing to request that you officially proclaim FASD Awareness Day on September 9, 2003. We will be joined by numerous communities across the U.S. and Canada, and around the world.

Studies conducted by Dr. Ann Streissguth funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that one out of every 100 babies in the U.S. are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). According to these estimates, there may be as many as _____ babies born in our state each year seriously affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

In 1973, researchers in the U.S. first identified Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as a birth disorder caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Thirty years later, government studies show that the rate of heavy drinking during pregnancy remains as high as ever. A congressional Report to the Institute of Medicine states that alcohol causes more damage to the developing baby’s brain than any other substance. Researchers believe that alcohol is the leading cause of neurobehavioral disorders.

Some children born with FASD may have mental retardation or may have normal intelligence. All children born with FASD do have brain damage that becomes obvious during the school years. Adolescents with FASD have serious behavior problems. Adults with FASD are at high risk of getting in trouble with the law, having substance abuse problems, and have difficulty achieving success in employment and independent living. Many end up on the streets or in prison, unless they receive early diagnosis and appropriate intervention services. Most require support services in their adult years.

(About two lines about your organization and what it does.)

Why September 9th? On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, international activists are asking the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman and her baby should remain alcohol free.  We also want the world to remember those millions of individuals who will not reach their genetic potential because their mothers drank in pregnancy.

Yours truly,

(Your name and position)