Assembly Resolution No. 819
BY: M. of A. Rozic
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 2020, as Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
Awareness Month in the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long- standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2020, as Sudden
Unexplained Death in Childhood Awareness Month in the State of New York;
and
WHEREAS, Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Awareness
Month provides an opportunity to honor the memory of the young lives
that ended too soon, shows encouragement and support for the families
and loved ones devastated by their loss, and increases public awareness
of SUDC and the ongoing search for answers; and
WHEREAS, SUDC is a category of death in children between the ages of
1 and 18 that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation,
including an autopsy; and
WHEREAS, Each year there are approximately 400 new cases of SUDC in
the United States, including more than 200 younger children between the
ages of 1 and 4 who die without any clear cause or explanation; and
WHEREAS, While less common than Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),
which occurs before the first birthday, SUDC is an important health
concern deserving of increased public awareness and research; and
WHEREAS, SUDC is the 5th leading category of death among children
ages 1 to 4; and
WHEREAS, Currently, there is no way to predict or prevent SUDC as
its cause is unknown; future research will hopefully identify means by
which SUDC can be prevented; and
WHEREAS, Organizations such as the SUDC Foundation, medical
professionals, medicolegal death investigators and volunteers should be
recognized for their dedicated efforts in working to better understand
the causes of SUDC, improving the health of infants and children, and
providing much-needed hope and support for those families grieving the
heartbreaking sudden, unexplained death of a child; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health crisis, and more must be done to increase activity
at the State, local and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2020, as Sudden
Unexplained Death in Childhood Awareness Month in the State of New York;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.