WHEREAS, families face serious health risks and March of Dimes fights for their health by supporting research, leading programs, and providing education and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, March of Dimes has developed a collaborative model to study and prevent preterm birth through groundbreaking research at five prematurity research centers; and

WHEREAS, March of Dimes is committed to mobilizing the nation by amplifying the voices of pregnant people and families; and

WHEREAS, five thousand three hundred four (5,304) infants are born preterm each year in the State of Oklahoma, representing over eleven percent (11%) of all state births; and

WHEREAS, Oklahoma received a grade of D minus on the 2021 March of Dimes Report Card; and

WHEREAS, in Oklahoma, March of Dimes has worked extensively to support state policies that improve the health of mothers and infants; and

WHEREAS, March of Dimes looks forward to working with the Oklahoma State Legislature in response to the continued maternal and infant health crisis; and

WHEREAS, March 9, 2022, marks the March of Dimes March for Change in Oklahoma where March of Dimes advocates meet with policymakers to voice the need for policies that benefit mothers and infants in Oklahoma.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 58TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Legislature hereby extends special recognition to March of Dimes in Oklahoma and designates March 9, 2022, as “March of Dimes March for Change Day” in Oklahoma.