SR0379 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0379 LRB095 13923 GRL 39706 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate of the State of Illinois wish to recognize the dedication and efforts of the March of Dimes Illinois Chapter and its volunteers, who have been fighting for the health and well-being of America's children for over 67 years, and who are now taking on the problem of premature births; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Senate recognizes that prematurity is the leading cause of death among babies from birth to one year old in the United States; those babies that survive are susceptible to life-long disabilities, such as chronic lung disease, blindness, and cerebral palsy; and

WHEREAS, Prematurity costs Illinois families and communities millions of dollars each year in care and treatment; and

WHEREAS, Sadly, the number of premature births has risen approximately 27 percent over the last 2 decades; today, nearly 500,000 babies are prematurely born in the United States each year; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 23,000 premature births in the State of Illinois, or approximately one in every 8 births; prematurity is clearly a significant and alarming problem; and

WHEREAS, In response to this problem, the March of Dimes is leading a national campaign to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes of prematurity and by aiding local programs that that provide assistance to families with babies that are born premature; and

WHEREAS, In November of 2007, the March of Dimes will coordinate activities throughout the country with help from many local healthcare professionals and government agencies and departments to call attention to premature birth and to offer hope to families affected by it; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim November 13, 2007 to be Premature Birth Awareness Day in the State of Illinois and encourage all citizens to be cognizant of the outstanding life-saving services provided to the people of Illinois by the March of Dimes Illinois Chapter; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the March of Dimes Illinois Chapter as an expression of our extreme gratitude.