[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 771--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 19, 
 2022, AS ``NATIONAL STILLBIRTH PREVENTION DAY'', RECOGNIZING TENS OF 
  THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES THAT HAVE ENDURED A STILLBIRTH, AND 
 SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP OTHER FAMILIES FROM EXPERIENCING THE 
                              SAME TRAGEDY

  Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Booker, Mr. Wyden, Mr. 
King, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 771

       Whereas, 23,000 pregnancies in the United States end in 
     stillbirth each year, and the COVID-19 pandemic has 
     exacerbated the crisis;
       Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with 
     Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous families at the greatest risk 
     of losing a baby to stillbirth;
       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the 
     number of deaths among children under 15 years of age due to 
     sudden infant death syndrome, car accidents, drowning, guns, 
     fire, poison, and flu combined;
       Whereas, in the last 2 decades, the stillbirth rate in the 
     United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent, and in a 
     report published by the World Health Organization comparing 
     progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States 
     ranked 183 out of 195 countries;
       Whereas stillbirths are devastating and have a profound and 
     lifelong impact on the families who endure them;
       Whereas stillbirth is linked to an increased risk of 
     maternal mortality;
       Whereas, with increased awareness and better data 
     collection, the United States will be able to better 
     understand why stillbirths in the United States are happening 
     at an alarming rate and identify what can be done to combat 
     this crisis;
       Whereas proven stillbirth prevention efforts have the power 
     to save a minimum of 7,500 babies every year from preventable 
     stillbirth in the United States, and innovations in 
     stillbirth prevention could save thousands of additional 
     families in the United States from the heartache of losing a 
     baby each year;
       Whereas recognizing ``National Stillbirth Prevention Day'' 
     is an opportunity to increase awareness, support evidence-
     based prevention efforts, promote research, encourage 
     improved data collection and greater understanding, and 
     provide community to those who have experienced stillbirth; 
     and
       Whereas ``National Stillbirth Prevention Day'' calls on the 
     President and all other Federal officials to use their 
     authorities to reduce stillbirths in the United States by at 
     least 33 percent and ensure every expectant family is 
     educated on how to reduce the risk of losing a baby to 
     stillbirth: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Stillbirth 
     Prevention Day'';
       (2) understands the importance of advancing evidence-based 
     prevention efforts; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
     National Stillbirth Prevention Day with appropriate awareness 
     programs and activities.

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