| 1 | House Resolution |
| 2 | A resolution designating March 24, 2005, as "A Safe Haven |
| 3 | for Newborns Day" in Florida. |
| 4 |
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| 5 | WHEREAS, across the United States, newborn babies are being |
| 6 | abandoned in canals, rivers, toilets, dumpsters, bags, and |
| 7 | similar places by parents who believe they have no other |
| 8 | alternative; and many of these children do not survive, and |
| 9 | WHEREAS, although the 2000 Legislature passed into law |
| 10 | section 383.50, Florida Statutes, which provides that a parent |
| 11 | may leave an unharmed child approximately three days old or |
| 12 | younger at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or |
| 13 | fire station with the right to remain anonymous and free from |
| 14 | fear of prosecution, it seemed apparent that few knew of its |
| 15 | existence, and |
| 16 | WHEREAS, sensing a need to make the state's residents aware |
| 17 | of the provisions of the law, the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation |
| 18 | was established and "A Safe Haven for Newborns" was founded, its |
| 19 | purpose and continuing mission being to save the lives of |
| 20 | newborns in danger of abandonment and to help preserve the |
| 21 | health and future of their mothers, and |
| 22 | WHEREAS, an excellent example of private initiative and |
| 23 | "partnering" with the public sector, the Silverio Foundation |
| 24 | maintains a multilingual 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week help line; |
| 25 | makes available materials in English, Spanish, and Creole; |
| 26 | sponsors public service media announcements; posts "A Safe Haven |
| 27 | for Newborns" signs at all staffed fire rescue and emergency |
| 28 | medical services stations in the state; and works with hospitals |
| 29 | and social services agencies throughout the state, and |
| 30 | WHEREAS, to date, 21 young lives have been rescued through |
| 31 | the efforts of this organization, and it is only fitting that |
| 32 | the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation's "A Safe Haven for Newborns" |
| 33 | be recognized for its dedication and commitment to the youngest, |
| 34 | most vulnerable of Florida's citizens, NOW, THEREFORE, |
| 35 |
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| 36 | Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of |
| 37 | Florida: |
| 38 |
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| 39 | That the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation is commended for its |
| 40 | excellent work in saving and preserving the lives of the state's |
| 41 | newborn babies and their mothers, and, in support of the worthy |
| 42 | efforts of this organization, March 24, 2005, is designated "A |
| 43 | Safe Haven for Newborns Day" in Florida. |
| 44 | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be |
| 45 | presented to Nick Silciro, Founder of the Gloria M. Silverio |
| 46 | Foundation "A Safe Haven for Newborns," as a tangible token of |
| 47 | the sentiments expressed herein. |