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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
122 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING THE BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS' BILL OF RIGHTS OFFERED AS SENATE BILL NO. 1674 AND ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 3782 IN THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that most babies be exclusively fed with breast milk for the first six months of life, and continue on with breast milk through the first year of life; and
WHEREAS, research in developed countries provides strong evidence that breastfeeding decreases the incidence and severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection, otitis media, and urinary tract infection; and
WHEREAS, breastfeeding also has economic benefits, as mothers can expect to spend as much $700 or more for the first year of formula feeding; and
WHEREAS, a United States Department of Agriculture analysis estimates that at least $3,600,000,000 could be saved nationally if only fifty per cent of mothers breastfed their infants until they were at least six months old; and
WHEREAS, women who receive appropriate, culturally sensitive information and support about breastfeeding during and immediately following their childbirth delivery are eight times more likely to continue breastfeeding for at least six weeks compared to women who received little or no post delivery support about breastfeeding; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 1674 and Assembly Bill No. 3782 of the New York State Legislature propose to codify every woman's right to be informed about the benefits of breastfeeding and to have an environment that is conducive to what all pediatricians agree to be the safest and healthiest choice for newborn and infant feeding; and
WHEREAS, the bills propose adoption of a statement of rights, known as the breastfeeding mothers' bill of rights, to: provide mothers with basic breastfeeding-related rights before, during and after the birth of their baby; require that the statement of rights be conspicuously posted in a public place in maternal health care facilities, nurseries, maternity floors, and post-delivery recovery rooms; and require assistance from lactation specialists in the hospital and after discharge; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature expresses its support for the breastfeeding mothers' bill of rights offered in Senate Bill No. 1674 and Assembly Bill No. 3782 of the New York State Legislature; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Speaker Sheldon Silver of the New York State Assembly, President Joseph Bruno of the New York State Senate, and to the introducers of the respective bills, State Senator Liz Krueger and State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.
Health; Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding Mothers' Bill of Rights