[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 590--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``CHILDREN'S 
                         GRIEF AWARENESS DAY''

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

                              S. Res. 590

       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.

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