Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 19, 2026, as Human Milk Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Human Milk Day

Assembly Resolution No. 1397

BY: M. of A. Rules (Solages)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 19, 2026, as Human Milk Day in the State of  New
        York,  in  conjunction  with the observance of World
        Human Milk Day

  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  Kathy  Hochul  to proclaim May 19, 2026, as Human
Milk Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
World Human Milk Day; 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim May  19,  2026,  as  Human

Milk Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
World  Human  Milk  Day,  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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.