III 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 349 

Supporting the designation of September 19, 2023, as ‘‘National Stillbirth 

Prevention Day’’, recognizing tens of thousands of American families 

that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other 

families from experiencing the same tragedy. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. BOOKER, and Mr. GRASSLEY) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of September 19, 2023, as ‘‘National Stillbirth Prevention Day’’, recognizing tens of 

thousands of American families that have endured a 

stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy. 

Whereas approximately 21,000 pregnancies in the United 

States end in stillbirth each year; 

Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with 

Black, Hispanic, Native Pacific Islander, and Indigenous 

families at the greatest risk of losing a baby to stillbirth; 

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds 

the number of deaths among children under 15 years of 


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•SRES 349 IS 

age due to sudden infant death syndrome, car accidents, 

drowning, guns, fire, poison, and flu combined; 

Whereas stillbirths are devastating and have a profound and 

lifelong impact on the families who endure them; 

Whereas stillbirth is linked to an increased risk of maternal 

mortality; 

Whereas, with increased awareness and better data collection, 

the United States will be able to better understand why 

stillbirths in the United States are happening at an 

alarming rate and identify what can be done to combat 

this crisis; 

Whereas proven stillbirth prevention efforts have the power to 

save thousands of babies every year, and innovations in 

stillbirth prevention could save thousands of additional 

families nationwide from the heartache of losing a baby 

every year; 

Whereas recognizing ‘‘National Stillbirth Prevention Day’’ is 

an opportunity to increase awareness, support evidencebased prevention efforts, promote research, encourage improved data collection and greater understanding, and 

provide support to those who have experienced stillbirth; 

and 

Whereas ‘‘National Stillbirth Prevention Day’’ calls on the 

President and all other Federal officials to use authority 

to take action to help reduce stillbirths and to ensure 

every expectant family is educated on how to reduce the 

risk of losing a baby to stillbirth: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 

3 Stillbirth Prevention Day’’; 


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•SRES 349 IS 

1 (2) understands the importance of advancing 

2 evidence-based prevention efforts; and 

3 (3) requests that the President issue a procla4 mation calling upon the people of the United States 

5 to observe National Stillbirth Prevention Day with 

6 appropriate awareness programs and activities. 

Æ 


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