Whereas, According to a 1996 study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 16
percent of six million plus pregnancies ended in either a miscarriage or a stillbirth,
and of those six million pregnancies, 62 percent ended in live births, and 26,784
of those ended in infant deaths; and,
Whereas, The availability of information and support is of the utmost importance
to families who suffer from pregnancy or infant loss to help them better deal
with their bereavement; and,
Whereas, A public that is informed and educated about pregnancy and infant
loss can better learn how to respond with compassion to affected families; and,
Whereas, Professionals who come in contact with families that have suffered
pregnancy or infant loss, such as nurses, physicians, social workers, clergy,
emergency medical technicians, funeral directors, police officers, and employers,
can better assist families if they have special training and better knowledge
about pregnancy and infant loss; and now therefore be it,
Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan,
do hereby proclaim October 15, 2003, as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance
Day in Michigan and I urge all citizens to acknowledge the pregnancies and infants
lost, mend broken hearts, and give hope to the future.