III 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 683 

Designating the first week of August 2020 as ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’, 

and designating August 2020 as ‘‘National Breastfeeding Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 13, 2020 

Mr. VAN HOLLEN (for himself, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. CARDIN, Ms. CANTWELL, 

Mr. WYDEN, Mr. BOOKER, and Mr. MARKEY)) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the first week of August 2020 as ‘‘World 

Breastfeeding Week’’, and designating August 2020 as 

‘‘National Breastfeeding Month’’. 

Whereas all major medical authorities recommend exclusive 

breastfeeding for about the first 6 months of life and 

continued breastfeeding for not less than the first year of 

life; 

Whereas the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action has 

designated the first week of August as ‘‘World 

Breastfeeding Week’’, and the United States 

Breastfeeding Committee has designated August as ‘‘National Breastfeeding Month’’; 

Whereas National Breastfeeding Month focuses on how data 

and measurements can be used to build and reinforce the 


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•SRES 683 IS 

connections between breastfeeding and a broad spectrum 

of other health topics and initiatives; 

Whereas World Breastfeeding Week and National 

Breastfeeding Month provide important opportunities to 

address barriers to breastfeeding faced by families across 

the United States and around the world; 

Whereas breastfeeding is a proven primary prevention strategy that builds a foundation for life-long health and 

wellness; 

Whereas the evidence of the value of breastfeeding to the 

health of women and children is scientific, solid, and continually reaffirmed by new research; 

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes an annual Breastfeeding Report Card, which has 

found that, while the proportion of infants who were ever 

breastfed in the United States is increasing, the United 

States continues to miss targets for exclusive 

breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; 

Whereas there are substantial racial and ethnic disparities in 

access to breastfeeding support, resulting in reduced 

breastfeeding rates and an associated increase in risk for 

a variety of negative health outcomes; 

Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, the 

National Immunization Survey reports that 86.6 percent 

of White infants have ever been breastfed, while— 

(1) 74 percent of Black infants have ever been 

breastfed; and 

(2) 79.5 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native infants have ever been breastfed; 


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•SRES 683 IS 

Whereas the Healthy People initiative of the Department of 

Health and Human Services has consistently identified 

breastfeeding as a national health priority; 

Whereas the majority of new parents want to breastfeed but 

face significant barriers in community, health care, and 

employment settings; 

Whereas, while some parents may choose not to breastfeed or 

are unable to breastfeed, all parents can benefit from access to education on infant nutrition and wellness; 

Whereas protecting and supporting breastfeeding for parents 

who are able to breastfeed is essential to ensuring critical 

food security and immunologic protection for the youngest residents of the United States; and 

Whereas the consistent and well-documented health, economic, and environmental benefits of breastfeeding show 

that breastfeeding is an investment that will continue to 

produce measurable dividends many times over across the 

United States and for families, employers, and government entities: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the first week of August 2020 as 

3 ‘‘World Breastfeeding Week’’; 

4 (2) designates August 2020 as ‘‘National 

5 Breastfeeding Month’’; 

6 (3) supports the goals of World Breastfeeding 

7 Week and National Breastfeeding Month; and 

8 (4) supports policies and funding to ensure that 

9 all parents who choose to breastfeed can access a 

10 full range of appropriate support from child care 


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•SRES 683 IS 

1 and health care institutions, health care insurers, 

2 employers, researchers, and government entities. 

Æ 


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