Declare World Human Milk Day

May 19, 2017, as World Human Milk Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the position of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to the unique contributions which donor-breastfeeding mothers make to other mothers and their babies in New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 29, 2017, as World Human Milk Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Human breast milk contains antibodies that help fight off viruses and bacteria; newborn babies who are fed breast milk within the first six months have fewer infections and respiratory illnesses; in addition, breast milk reduces the risk of a baby developing asthma or allergies; and WHEREAS, Milk banks in New York, with a milk bank from another country, hold in tandem an event at the same time, 10:00 a.m. for coffee and cake in Eastern North America, and 3:00 p.m. for tea and scones in England; and WHEREAS, May 19th was originally designated in Brazil as World Human Milk Donation Day because on this date, the first agreement to create a network of milk banks in Latin America was signed by 13 countries and international organizations in South and Central America; and WHEREAS, According to the World Health Organization, over 1,000,000 babies die every year from complications associated with prematurity, and it is the leading cause of death for infants under four weeks of age; and WHEREAS, The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among many other health care organizations and associations, agree that when a mother's own milk is not available for fragile babies, the next best alternative is banked donor human milk; and WHEREAS, For every 28 children who receive exclusive milk diets, one case of, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), requiring surgery is prevented at a cost of approximately $398,000; and WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize those important days which remind us of the mothers who selflessly donate their human breast milk for babies and preemies in this great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 19, 2017, as World Human Milk Day in the State of New York, in honor of the donation that breastfeeding mothers make to other mothers and their babies in the State of New York who have enriched our Nation; 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.