THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ORIE, PILEGGI, ARGALL, BAKER, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, FARNESE, FERLO, FONTANA, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, LOGAN, MUSTO, O'PAKE, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, STACK, TARTAGLIONE, WARD, WASHINGTON AND M. WHITE, DECEMBER 15, 2009

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, DECEMBER 15, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating November 18, 2009, as "Prematurity Awareness Day" in

Pennsylvania and encouraging efforts to fund research and

programs to find causes of prematurity.

WHEREAS, Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns

in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nearly half a million babies are born prematurely

every year, including more than 16,000 in Pennsylvania, and the

number is rising; and

WHEREAS, According to the March of Dimes, in 2005 the annual

societal economic cost associated with preterm birth in the

United States was at least $26.2 billion; and

WHEREAS, Most people are unaware of this common, serious and

costly problem or the enormous emotional toll on families; and

WHEREAS, The March of Dimes is leading a national effort to

save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the

causes and by supporting local programs offering hope and help

to families with a baby in intensive care; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate November 18, 2009, as

"Prematurity Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania and encourage

efforts to fund research and programs to find causes of

prematurity.