LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim April 25, 2010 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, The well-being of children, our most precious resource, is of
paramount import to this Legislative Body and the people of the State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Parental alienation is a group of behaviors damaging to chil-
dren's mental and emotional well-being, and can interfere with a
relationship of a child and either parent; and
WHEREAS, Such alienating behaviors can lead to the psychological
condition recognized by professionals as Parental Alienation Syndrome
(PAS) and often accompany high conflict marriages, separation or
divorce, and custody disputes; and
WHEREAS, They may include speaking negatively about a parent to or in
front of a child, interfering with communication and visitation, and
discussing inappropriate information with a child, such as details of
the marriage, court proceedings, or financial matters and may contribute
to the damage or destruction of the bond between parent and child; and
WHEREAS, Although parental alienation can be a purposeful attempt, it
can also occur without any conscious intent due to a parent's inability
to put the child's well-being before the parent's own feelings; and
WHEREAS, Parental alienation takes advantage of the suggestibility and
dependency of children and deprives them of the right to love and be
loved and cared for by both parents; and
WHEREAS, Parental alienation is considered a form of child abuse as
the alienating tactics used on children are disturbing, confusing and
often frightening, and rob children of their sense of security and safe-
ty; and
WHEREAS, Increasingly, professionals recognize and agree that the
problems and effects of parental alienation and Parental Alienation
Syndrome exist, are damaging to children, can affect them well into
adulthood, and may last a lifetime with tragic consequences; and
WHEREAS, Courts and social service agencies, as well, increasingly
recognize the importance of awareness and intervention for the
prevention of alienating behaviors for children, families, and society
as a whole, yet there is little public awareness of this growing, seri-
ous concern; and
WHEREAS, With awareness comes education and the understanding and
ability to protect children caught in the crossfire of disagreements and
disputes between people they love; and
WHEREAS, The observation of Parental Alienation Awareness Day provides
an opportunity to educate judges, law enforcement, education, medical,
social service and other professionals and personnel, and the public, of
the facts and issues surrounding parental alienation; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim April 25, 2010 as
Parental Alienation Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.