Florida Senate - 2010                            (NP)    SR 2738
       
       
       
       By Senator Rich
       
       
       
       
       34-02246-10                                           20102738__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing February 2010 as Safe Haven
    3         for Newborns Month in Florida and commending the
    4         Gloria M. Silverio Foundation for its efforts on
    5         behalf of newborns.
    6  
    7         WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature adopted legislation in
    8  2000 establishing safe haven facilities where parents could
    9  anonymously place newborn infants, who might otherwise be
   10  abandoned, without fear of prosecution, and
   11         WHEREAS, in memory of his wife, Gloria, Nick Silverio
   12  established “A Safe Haven For Newborns” in 2001, a project of
   13  the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation, in response to the tragedy of
   14  newborn abandonment in Florida, and
   15         WHEREAS, the project that began in Miami has now spread
   16  through a grassroots effort to reach all 67 counties in Florida,
   17  partnering with the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, emergency
   18  medical services, hospitals, and other organizations and
   19  agencies in the state, to raise awareness and provide responses
   20  to mothers who ask where they might place their infants, and
   21         WHEREAS, by establishing a multilingual referral help line
   22  that is constantly staffed with a network of volunteers and
   23  providing public service announcements and a publicly accessible
   24  website of information, “A Safe Haven for Newborns” has become
   25  the primary information resource in Florida alerting parents as
   26  to how they can anonymously and safely place their newborn
   27  infants, thereby saving lives, and
   28         WHEREAS, since the inception of the safe haven law in 2000,
   29  at least 143 newborns have been placed in safe haven facilities,
   30  due in large measure to the leadership of the Gloria M. Silverio
   31  Foundation, and
   32         WHEREAS, the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation, in creating “A
   33  Safe Haven for Newborns,” has performed a unique service to
   34  communities in this state and provided vital leadership for
   35  others in our society who seek remediation to the tragedy of
   36  infant abandonment, NOW, THEREFORE,
   37  
   38  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   39  
   40         That February 2010 is recognized as “Safe Haven for
   41  Newborns Month” in Florida and the Gloria M. Silverio Foundation
   42  is commended for its efforts to protect newborns through safe
   43  haven facilities and support.
   44         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with
   45  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Nick E. Silverio
   46  of “A Safe Haven for Newborns” as a tangible token of the
   47  sentiments of the Florida Senate.