III 

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 590 

Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘Children’s Grief Awareness Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 13, 2012 

Mr. CASEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of ‘‘Children’s Grief 

Awareness Day’’. 

Whereas 1 in 5 children in the United States will experience 

the death of a close friend or relative by the age of 18 

years old; 

Whereas in the United States, 1,900,000 children under the 

age of 18 years old have lost 1 or both parents; 

Whereas the death of a loved one can affect a child for the 

rest of his or her life; 

Whereas the death of a loved one causes confusion and distress because the child does not understand why the loved 

one died; 

Whereas a grieving child often feels lonely, fearful, and misunderstood, hindering the ability to face feelings and 

manage grief; 


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•SRES 590 IS 

Whereas children have often been called ‘‘forgotten mourners’’ because many people erroneously believe that children are resilient enough to ‘‘just get over’’ grief; 

Whereas a grieving child needs to have his or her feelings acknowledged, a listening ear, and the support of caring individuals, such as family members, friends, and others 

who are also grieving a loss; 

Whereas Children’s Grief Awareness Day began in 2008, 

through grassroots efforts to help others understand the 

impact of death on children, and the need for support, 

and to provide ways for adults and young people to show 

support and solidarity for grieving children; 

Whereas Children’s Grief Awareness Day is observed every 

year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, immediately 

preceding the winter holidays, which can be a particularly 

difficult time for grieving children; 

Whereas individuals can participate in Children’s Grief 

Awareness Day by engaging in activities that raise 

awareness of the needs of grieving children and by wearing blue on that day as a symbol of support for grieving 

children; 

Whereas, on November 15, 2012, thousands of children and 

adults from all walks of life and across the United States 

will join together to show support for grieving children by 

participating in Children’s Grief Awareness Day; and 

Whereas November 15, 2012, would be an appropriate day to 

designate as ‘‘Children’s Grief Awareness Day’’ to help 

the public understand the devastating impact of the 

death of a loved one on a child, and of the need for support for grieving children: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 590 IS 

1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Children’s 

2 Grief Awareness Day to raise awareness of and sup3 port for grieving children; 

4 (2) recognizes the hard work that grieving chil5 dren do every day in creating a new life out of the 

6 pieces remaining of their old lives; 

7 (3) applauds the individuals that volunteer to 

8 support grieving children; 

9 (4) salutes the Federal, State, and local organi10 zations that work on behalf of grieving children; 

11 (5) recognizes the tireless efforts put forth by 

12 the individuals that help grieving children day after 

13 day; and 

14 (6) encourages the people of the United States 

15 to observe Children’s Grief Awareness Day with ap16 propriate programs and activities. 

Æ 


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