[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 132 (Tuesday, October 2, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1673-E1674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN SUPPORT OF SIDS AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Sudden Infant Death 
Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.
  Mr. Speaker, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the 
leading causes of death among infants one month through one year of age 
in the United States. The National Institute of Child Health and Human 
Development (NICHD) defines SIDS as the sudden death of an infant under 
one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case 
investigation.
  Due to the efforts of the American SIDS Institute and other 
organizations, the sudden infant death rate is at an all time low. 
Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50 percent. Tragically, 
however, there are still about 2,500 deaths per year in the United 
States and thousands more throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker, it is believed that SIDS can be eliminated as a cause of 
infant deaths within our lifetime. Achieving this goal requires the 
financial and personal support of corporations, foundations and 
concerned individuals.

[[Page E1674]]

  As a proud member of the Congressional 21st Century Health Care 
Caucus and a strong supporter of legislation designed to promote 
healthy children and families, including the Affordable Care Act, 
SCHIP, and child nutrition programs I believe it is important to raise 
awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome to save babies at risk and 
eventually eradicate SIDS.
  For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of 
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.

                          ____________________