III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 590 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

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.