LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Janine Romano, Ambassador Mom for New
York State, upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition
by the March of Dimes on May 11, 2010

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor
Janine Romano, Ambassador Mom for New York State, upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the March of Dimes to be
celebrated at its Annual State Advocacy Day, Tuesday, May 11, 2010, in
conjunction with National Women's Health Week; and
WHEREAS, A national voluntary health organization, the mission of the
March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth
defects, premature birth and infant mortality; this laudable organiza-
tion carries out this mission through research, community services,
education and advocacy to save babies' lives; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 540,000 babies born too soon every year
in the United States; premature birth is the most common, serious and
costly infant health problem facing our Nation, and it has reached a
crisis; and
WHEREAS, The researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and
advocates of the March of Dimes are determined to find and implement
solutions to prevent preterm birth based on research, best clinical
practices and improved educations for moms; and
WHEREAS, As the Ambassador Mom for New York State, Janine Romano has
given not only of her time and energies but also of her competence,
intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for
special honor; and
WHEREAS, The role of the Ambassador family is to educate the public
about the March of Dimes' mission; to increase New Yorkers' understand-
ing and commitment to this mission; and to assist in the growth and
expansion of the New York Chapter of the March of Dimes; and
WHEREAS, The children and families of the Ambassador Mom bring a face
to the mission of this valuable organization; an Ambassador family can
tell the story of how their lives have been touched by the March of
Dimes; subsequently, people can hear and see the correlation between
their efforts and the mission in an effort to prevent birth defects,
premature birth and infant mortality; and
WHEREAS, Janine Romano's twin daughters, Jamie and Jianna were both
born 14 weeks premature, weighing less than a combined three pounds;
Jamie was 1 pound 6 ounces and Jianna was 1 pound 1 ounce; the infants
were immediately rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where
they spent over three months respectively in the specialized unit; and
WHEREAS, Today, Jianna Romano faces many obstacles due to being born
prematurely; at three-years-old she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy,
at four-years-old, with a sensory disorder, and at five-years-old, with
motor tics; this brave little girl receives multiple therapies to help
her cope with her delays; currently, she is enrolled in a special educa-
tion class and doing amazingly well; and

WHEREAS, Jamie Romano, at the age of three, leveled out her prematuri-
ty, and today is a student in regular general education class; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of serving as Ambassador Mom for
the State of New York, a period of positive and productive involvement,
Janine Romano has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Janine Romano has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Janine Romano, Ambassador Mom for New York State, upon the occa-
sion of her designation for special recognition by the March of Dimes on
May 11, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Janine Romano, Ambassador Mom for New York State, March of
Dimes, 116 Ainsworth Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10308.