August 13, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 145 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Pages S5411-S5412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 683--DESIGNATING THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST 2020 AS 
``WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK'', AND DESIGNATING AUGUST 2020 AS ``NATIONAL 
                         BREASTFEEDING MONTH''

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Cantwell, 
Mr. Wyden, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Markey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

[[Page S5412]]

  


                              S. Res. 683

       Whereas all major medical authorities recommend exclusive 
     breastfeeding for about the first 6 months of life and 
     continued breastfeeding for not less than the first year of 
     life;
       Whereas the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action has 
     designated the first week of August as ``World Breastfeeding 
     Week'', and the United States Breastfeeding Committee has 
     designated August as ``National Breastfeeding Month'';
       Whereas National Breastfeeding Month focuses on how data 
     and measurements can be used to build and reinforce the 
     connections between breastfeeding and a broad spectrum of 
     other health topics and initiatives;
       Whereas World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding 
     Month provide important opportunities to address barriers to 
     breastfeeding faced by families across the United States and 
     around the world;
       Whereas breastfeeding is a proven primary prevention 
     strategy that builds a foundation for life-long health and 
     wellness;
       Whereas the evidence of the value of breastfeeding to the 
     health of women and children is scientific, solid, and 
     continually reaffirmed by new research;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     publishes an annual Breastfeeding Report Card, which has 
     found that, while the proportion of infants who were ever 
     breastfed in the United States is increasing, the United 
     States continues to miss targets for exclusive breastfeeding 
     for the first 6 months of life;
       Whereas there are substantial racial and ethnic disparities 
     in access to breastfeeding support, resulting in reduced 
     breastfeeding rates and an associated increase in risk for a 
     variety of negative health outcomes;
       Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, 
     the National Immunization Survey reports that 86.6 percent of 
     White infants have ever been breastfed, while--
       (1) 74 percent of Black infants have ever been breastfed; 
     and
       (2) 79.5 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native 
     infants have ever been breastfed;
       Whereas the Healthy People initiative of the Department of 
     Health and Human Services has consistently identified 
     breastfeeding as a national health priority;
       Whereas the majority of new parents want to breastfeed but 
     face significant barriers in community, health care, and 
     employment settings;
       Whereas, while some parents may choose not to breastfeed or 
     are unable to breastfeed, all parents can benefit from access 
     to education on infant nutrition and wellness;
       Whereas protecting and supporting breastfeeding for parents 
     who are able to breastfeed is essential to ensuring critical 
     food security and immunologic protection for the youngest 
     residents of the United States; and
       Whereas the consistent and well-documented health, 
     economic, and environmental benefits of breastfeeding show 
     that breastfeeding is an investment that will continue to 
     produce measurable dividends many times over across the 
     United States and for families, employers, and government 
     entities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the first week of August 2020 as ``World 
     Breastfeeding Week'';
       (2) designates August 2020 as ``National Breastfeeding 
     Month'';
       (3) supports the goals of World Breastfeeding Week and 
     National Breastfeeding Month; and
       (4) supports policies and funding to ensure that all 
     parents who choose to breastfeed can access a full range of 
     appropriate support from child care and health care 
     institutions, health care insurers, employers, researchers, 
     and government entities.

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