HR 9033

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

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.