Assembly Resolution No. 299

BY: M. of A. Solages

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 19, 2021, as Human Milk Day in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of World
Human Milk Day

WHEREAS, It is the position of this Legislative Body, in keeping
with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to the
unique contributions which donor-breastfeeding mothers make to other
mothers and their babies in New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2021, as Human
Milk Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
World Human Milk Day; and

WHEREAS, Human breast milk contains antibodies that help fight off
viruses and bacteria; newborn babies who are fed breast milk within the
first six months have fewer infections and respiratory illnesses; in
addition, breast milk reduces the risk of a baby developing asthma or
allergies; and

WHEREAS, Milk banks in New York, with a milk bank from another
country, hold in tandem an event at the same time, 10:00 a.m. for coffee
and cake in Eastern North America, and 3:00 p.m. for tea and scones in
England; and

WHEREAS, May 19th was originally designated in Brazil as World Human
Milk Donation Day because on this date, the first agreement to create a
network of milk banks in Latin America was signed by 13 countries and
international organizations in South and Central America; and

WHEREAS, According to the World Health Organization, over 1,000,000
babies die every year from complications associated with prematurity,
and it is the leading cause of death for infants under four weeks of
age; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization and the American Academy of
Pediatrics, among many other health care organizations and associations,
agree that when a mother's own milk is not available for fragile babies,
the next best alternative is banked donor human milk; and

WHEREAS, For every 28 children who receive exclusive milk diets, one
case of, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), requiring surgery is prevented
at a cost of approximately $398,000; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize
those important days which remind us of the mothers who selflessly
donate their human breast milk for babies and preemies in this great
State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2021, as Human

Milk Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
World Human Milk Day, in honor of the donation that breastfeeding
mothers make to other mothers and their babies in the State of New York
who have enriched our Nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.