[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 349 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 349

    Supporting the designation of September 19, 2023, as ``National 
Stillbirth Prevention Day'', recognizing tens of thousands of American 
families that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to 
        keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 19, 2023

 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Grassley) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the designation of September 19, 2023, as ``National 
Stillbirth Prevention Day'', recognizing tens of thousands of American 
families that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to 
        keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.

Whereas approximately 21,000 pregnancies in the United States end in stillbirth 
        each year;
Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with Black, Hispanic, 
        Native Pacific Islander, and Indigenous families at the greatest risk of 
        losing a baby to stillbirth;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual 
        number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths among children 
        under 15 years of age due to sudden infant death syndrome, car 
        accidents, drowning, guns, fire, poison, and flu combined;
Whereas stillbirths are devastating and have a profound and lifelong impact on 
        the families who endure them;
Whereas stillbirth is linked to an increased risk of maternal mortality;
Whereas, with increased awareness and better data collection, the United States 
        will be able to better understand why stillbirths in the United States 
        are happening at an alarming rate and identify what can be done to 
        combat this crisis;
Whereas proven stillbirth prevention efforts have the power to save thousands of 
        babies every year, and innovations in stillbirth prevention could save 
        thousands of additional families nationwide from the heartache of losing 
        a baby every year;
Whereas recognizing ``National Stillbirth Prevention Day'' is an opportunity to 
        increase awareness, support evidence-based prevention efforts, promote 
        research, encourage improved data collection and greater understanding, 
        and provide support to those who have experienced stillbirth; and
Whereas ``National Stillbirth Prevention Day'' calls on the President and all 
        other Federal officials to use authority to take action to help reduce 
        stillbirths and to ensure every expectant family is educated on how to 
        reduce the risk of losing a baby to stillbirth: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Stillbirth 
        Prevention Day'';
            (2) understands the importance of advancing evidence-based 
        prevention efforts; and
            (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
        National Stillbirth Prevention Day with appropriate awareness 
        programs and activities.
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