IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 317 
Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 
as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 12, 2019 
Ms. ADAMS (for herself, Ms. UNDERWOOD, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. 
CLARKE of New York, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. RYAN, Mr. KHANNA, 
Ms. MOORE, Ms. NORTON, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. 
PAYNE, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. WILSON of Flor-
ida, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, 
Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. COHEN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. WASSERMAN 
SCHULTZ, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. 
LOWENTHAL, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. CRIST, Ms. 
SPEIER, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New 
York, Mr. POCAN, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of 
Pennsylvania, Ms. HAALAND, Mrs. HAYES, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY 
of New York, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Ms. 
MENG, Ms. PLASKETT, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. SHALALA, Mr. 
VEASEY, 
Ms. 
FUDGE, 
Ms. 
DEGETTE, 
Mr. 
HORSFORD, 
Mr. 
KRISHNAMOORTHI, Ms. OMAR, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, 
Mrs. MCBATH, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Ms. WILD, and Ms. PRESSLEY) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through 
April 17, 2019 as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 
Whereas Congress recognizes ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ 
to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Apr 12, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR317.IH
HR317
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 317 IH 
in the Black community and the importance of reducing 
maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women; 
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, Black mothers in the United States are three 
to four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related 
causes as White mothers; 
Whereas Black women in the United States suffer from life- 
threatening pregnancy complications, known as ‘‘mater-
nal morbidities’’, twice as often as White women; 
Whereas maternal mortality rates in the United States are— 
(1) among the highest in the developed world; and 
(2) increasing rapidly; 
Whereas the United States has the highest maternal mor-
tality rate among affluent countries, in part because of 
the disproportionate mortality rate of Black mothers; 
Whereas Black women are 49 percent more likely than White 
women to deliver prematurely; 
Whereas the high rates of maternal mortality among Black 
women span across— 
(1) income levels; 
(2) education levels; and 
(3) socioeconomic status; 
Whereas structural racism, gender oppression, and the social 
determinants of health inequities experienced by Black 
women in the United States significantly contribute to 
the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality 
and morbidity among Black women; 
Whereas racism and discrimination play a consequential role 
in maternal health care, experiences, and outcomes; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Apr 12, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR317.IH
HR317
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 317 IH 
Whereas a fair distribution of resources, especially with re-
gard to reproductive health care services and maternal 
health programming, is critical to closing the maternal 
health racial disparity gap; 
Whereas, even as there is growing concern about improving 
access to mental health services, Black women are least 
likely to have access to mental health screenings, treat-
ment, and support before, during, and after pregnancy; 
Whereas justice-informed, culturally congruent models of care 
are beneficial to Black women; and 
Whereas an investment must be made in— 
(1) maternity care for Black women; and 
(2) policies that support and promote affordable, 
comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is 
free from gender and racial discrimination: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog-
nizes— 
(1) that Black women are experiencing high, 
disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and 
morbidity in the United States; 
(2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal 
mortality among Black women are unacceptable; 
(3) that, in order to better mitigate the effects 
of systemic and structural racism, Congress must 
work toward ensuring that the Black community 
has— 
(A) adequate housing; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Apr 12, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR317.IH
HR317
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 317 IH 
(B) transportation equity; 
(C) nutritious food; 
(D) clean water; 
(E) environments free from toxins; 
(F) fair treatment within the criminal jus-
tice system; 
(G) safety and freedom from violence; 
(H) a living wage; 
(I) equal economic opportunity; and 
(J) comprehensive, affordable health care; 
(4) that, in order to improve maternal health 
outcomes, Congress must fully support and encour-
age policies grounded in the human rights and re-
productive justice frameworks that address Black 
maternal health inequity; 
(5) that Black women must be active partici-
pants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; 
and 
(6) that ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an 
opportunity— 
(A) to raise national awareness of the state 
of Black maternal health in the United States; 
(B) to amplify the voices of Black women, 
families, and communities; 
(C) to serve as a national platform for— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Apr 12, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HR317.IH
HR317
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS