[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 590 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 590

 Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Children's Grief Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 13, 2012

Mr. Casey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
          Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of ``Children's Grief Awareness Day''.

Whereas 1 in 5 children in the United States will experience the death of a 
        close friend or relative by the age of 18 years old;
Whereas in the United States, 1,900,000 children under the age of 18 years old 
        have lost 1 or both parents;
Whereas the death of a loved one can affect a child for the rest of his or her 
        life;
Whereas the death of a loved one causes confusion and distress because the child 
        does not understand why the loved one died;
Whereas a grieving child often feels lonely, fearful, and misunderstood, 
        hindering the ability to face feelings and manage grief;
Whereas children have often been called ``forgotten mourners'' because many 
        people erroneously believe that children are resilient enough to ``just 
        get over'' grief;
Whereas a grieving child needs to have his or her feelings acknowledged, a 
        listening ear, and the support of caring individuals, such as family 
        members, friends, and others who are also grieving a loss;
Whereas Children's Grief Awareness Day began in 2008, through grassroots efforts 
        to help others understand the impact of death on children, and the need 
        for support, and to provide ways for adults and young people to show 
        support and solidarity for grieving children;
Whereas Children's Grief Awareness Day is observed every year on the Thursday 
        before Thanksgiving, immediately preceding the winter holidays, which 
        can be a particularly difficult time for grieving children;
Whereas individuals can participate in Children's Grief Awareness Day by 
        engaging in activities that raise awareness of the needs of grieving 
        children and by wearing blue on that day as a symbol of support for 
        grieving children;
Whereas, on November 15, 2012, thousands of children and adults from all walks 
        of life and across the United States will join together to show support 
        for grieving children by participating in Children's Grief Awareness 
        Day; and
Whereas November 15, 2012, would be an appropriate day to designate as 
        ``Children's Grief Awareness Day'' to help the public understand the 
        devastating impact of the death of a loved one on a child, and of the 
        need for support for grieving children: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Children's Grief 
        Awareness Day to raise awareness of and support for grieving 
        children;
            (2) recognizes the hard work that grieving children do 
        every day in creating a new life out of the pieces remaining of 
        their old lives;
            (3) applauds the individuals that volunteer to support 
        grieving children;
            (4) salutes the Federal, State, and local organizations 
        that work on behalf of grieving children;
            (5) recognizes the tireless efforts put forth by the 
        individuals that help grieving children day after day; and
            (6) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        Children's Grief Awareness Day with appropriate programs and 
        activities.
                                 <all>