[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 832--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 19, 
 2024, AS ``NATIONAL STILLBIRTH PREVENTION DAY'', RECOGNIZING TENS OF 
    THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN THE UNITED STATES 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. King, Mr. 
Heinrich, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 832

       Whereas approximately 21,000 pregnancies in the United 
     States end in stillbirth each year, and the lack of access to 
     maternal health care services has exacerbated the crisis;
       Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with 
     Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and 
     Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic 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 stillbirths are devastating and have a profound and 
     lifelong impact on the families who endure them;
       Whereas losing a baby to stillbirth is linked to an 
     increased risk of maternal morbidity and 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 thousands of babies every year, and innovations in 
     stillbirth prevention could save thousands of additional 
     families nationwide every year from the heartache of losing a 
     baby;
       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 support to those who have experienced a stillbirth; 
     and
       Whereas ``National Stillbirth Prevention Day''--
       (1) celebrates the passage of the Maternal and Child Health 
     Stillbirth Prevention Act (Public Law 118-69; 138 Stat. 
     1485), which opens up more Federal resources for stillbirth 
     prevention activities and research; and
       (2) calls on the President and all other Federal officials 
     to use their authority to take action to help reduce 
     stillbirths and to 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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