SENATE RESOLUTION 39

(By Senators Stollings, Prezioso, Beach, Cline, Lindsay, Baldwin, Jeffries, Unger, and Rucker)

[Introduced February 12, 2020]

Designating February 13, 2020, as Tiny Hearts Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, The West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is a nonprofit organization of more than 290 private practice pediatricians, generalists, specialists, medical school faculty, pediatric trainees, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, public health practitioners, and administrators across the state of West Virginia; and

Whereas, The mission of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to attain the optimal health and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults by uniting and educating pediatricians and facilitating effective partnerships between pediatricians and other child experts and advocates; and

Whereas, Pediatricians play a critical role in improving the health of our citizens; and

Whereas, The prevention of major threats to children’s health, including the management of chronic diseases, obesity, injury, communicable diseases, and other child health problems, cannot be managed solely in the pediatric office; and

Whereas, The 2020 advocacy priorities of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics are improving access to care, including care for vulnerable populations such as those in foster care and kinship care; addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences and toxic stress; maintaining strong immunization laws; obesity prevention and treatment; promoting tobacco cessation; addressing the opioid epidemic and its impact on children; and firearm injury prevention; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics will continue to put kids’ health first and be a voice for vulnerable children and families in West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate here by designate February 13, 2020, as Tiny Hearts Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate extends it sincere gratitude and appreciation to the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for the important work they do and for the positive impact they have on the health of West Virginia children and families; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.