H.R. No. 1324
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Folic acid, a B vitamin, plays a vital role in
healthy pregnancies; and
WHEREAS, Consumption of folic acid, or folate, before
conception and during early pregnancy can prevent the occurrence of
some neural tube defects, including spina bifida, which leaves some
children unable to walk, and anencephaly, which causes early death;
each year, 2,500 babies are born with neural tube defects, and many
pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth due to inadequate
maternal folic acid levels; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, research suggests that consumption of
multivitamins containing folic acid may help prevent cleft palate,
congenital heart defects, prematurity, and low birth weight; and
WHEREAS, Folic acid is found in fruits, vegetables, legumes,
liver, yeast breads, fortified cereals, and enriched grain
products; the Spina Bifida Association, March of Dimes, and the
Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommend that
women who could become pregnant consume 400 micrograms of synthetic
folic acid every day from a vitamin or from fortified foods, in
addition to eating a healthy diet rich in natural sources of folate;
and
WHEREAS, If all women took folic acid before conception and
during early pregnancy, the number of neural tube defects could
drop as much as 70 percent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby affirm the importance of folic acid in the diets
of women of childbearing age.
Scott
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1324 was adopted by the House on May
6, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House