World Breastfeeding Week awards were presented to Rep. Carolyn Maloney, "Mr.
Rogers", PBS, Dr. Mary Applegate, NYS Dept of Health, Kate White, Editor of
Redbook magazine, Dan Rtz, Medical Unit Editor, CNN and Keith Safian, CEO of
Phelps Hospital in the Westchester/ Putnam/Rockland area of New York, just
above Manhattan. While all did not attend personally, we received letters from
all the honorees and a tape from Mr. Rogers showing the segment of his Mr.
Rogers Neighborhood program which features breastfeeding mothers& babies(
Monday of Thanksgiving week),
The crowning event of the day was a proclamation, signed by Gov. George
Pataki, proclaiming Aug1-7 as Breastfeeding Week in the Empire State.


                      "   State of New York
                          Executive Chamber
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to
promote good health during infancy, breastmilk provides essential nutrients to
help keep babies healthier; it is the best and only food a baby needs during
the first six months of life and continues to be an important source of
nutrients for at least the first year; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Health Department supports and promotes
breastfeeding throught the Prenatal Care Assistance Program(PCAP) and the New
York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and
Children(WIC); the Department also educates health providers about helping
women breastfeed, and promotes breastfeeding policies and practices in
hospitals statewide; and
WHEREAS, currently, nearly 63 percent of all mothers in New York State
breastfeed their babies- - an increase of 7 percent during the past three
years; nearly 24,000 breastfeeding mothers are being served by the WIC
program, and this number is increasing each year; and
WHEREAS, this national observance is an opportunity for the citizens of the
empire State to provide the support and encouragement breastfeeding mothers
need to succeed;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, do
hereby recognize August1-7, 1998 as
                                 BREASTFEEDING WEEK
in the Empire State."

The proclamation took the combined efforts of the Dept of Health, WIC
Breastfeeding Coordinator and determination from Lee Galasso, President of our
Westchester,Putnam Lactation Consortium--well worth the effort!
Barbara Hayes
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