TITLE: Recognizing February 22, 2017, as Texas Breastfeeding Coalition Legislative Action Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 22, 2017, as Texas Breastfeeding Coalition Legislative Action Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Breastfeeding Coalition are visiting the State Capitol on February 22, 2017; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to improving breastfeeding rates, the coalition works to promote a public environment that accepts and supports mothers in this healthy practice; medical authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all strongly recommend breastfeeding, and the U.S. surgeon general has issued a call to action in this regard; and WHEREAS, According to the CDC, breastfeeding is one of the most effective measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant; breastfeeding protects babies from a wide range of infections and illnesses, and breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma; in addition, it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and children who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese; mothers who breastfeed also have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers; and WHEREAS, Cost-benefit analyses performed by private researchers and by the federal government have found that breastfeeding reduces costs to the nation's health care system for both acute and chronic illnesses; Texas, with its high rates of obesity and diabetes, stands to benefit significantly by encouraging more mothers to breastfeed; and WHEREAS, Despite the vital advantages conferred by breastfeeding, mothers do not always receive the evidence-based, qualified clinical lactation support they need, and some current hospital practices make it more difficult to establish successful breastfeeding; moreover, although the state passed legislation in 1995 affirming the right of a mother to breastfeed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be, breastfeeding mothers continue to face discrimination and often experience a lack of support at work and in public places; and WHEREAS, The Texas Breastfeeding Coalition is making a positive difference in the lives of women and children through its efforts to educate the public and improve support for breastfeeding, and a special day to spotlight its endeavors is most fitting; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 22, 2017, as Texas Breastfeeding Coalition Legislative Action Day at the State Capitol and extend to all those participating sincere best wishes for the future. Farrar Straus Goldman Oliverson Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega Alonzo Gonz lez of El Paso Paddie Alvarado Gooden Parker Anchia Guerra Paul Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan Ar valo Hefner Phillips Ashby Hernandez Pickett Bailes Herrero Price Bell Hinojosa Raney Bernal Holland Raymond Biedermann Howard Reynolds Blanco Huberty Rinaldi Bohac Hunter Roberts Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr. Burns Johnson of Harris Rose Burrows Kacal Sanford Button Keough Schaefer Cain King of Hemphill Schofield Canales King of Parker Schubert Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen Clardy Klick Sheffield Coleman Koop Shine Collier Krause Simmons Cook Kuempel Smithee Cortez Lambert Springer Cosper Landgraf Stephenson Craddick Lang Stickland Cyrier Larson Stucky Dale Laubenberg Swanson Darby Leach Thierry Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris Dean Lucio III Tinderholt Deshotel Martinez Turner Dukes Metcalf Uresti Dutton Meyer VanDeaver Elkins Miller Villalba Faircloth Minjarez Vo Fallon Moody Walle Farrar Morrison White Flynn Mu oz, Jr. Wilson Frank Murphy Workman Frullo Murr Wray Geren Neave Wu Gervin-Hawkins Nev rez Zedler Giddings Oliveira Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 497 was adopted by the House on February 22, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House