WHEREAS, on October 25, 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, each year, approximately one million pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriage, stillbirth, the death of a newborn baby, or sudden infant death syndrome; approximately one in every four women suffers a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss; and

WHEREAS, the loss of a child is an inconceivable tragedy and a traumatic event that brings a family pain, suffering and grief; and

WHEREAS, the observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month will generate awareness and increase North Dakotans’ understanding of the tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn and newborn babies; and

WHEREAS, since 2002, governors of all 50 states have signed proclamations designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day; and

WHEREAS, each year, people around the world participate in the International Wave of Light, which invites participants to light a candle for pregnancy loss and infant loss remembrance starting at 7:00 p.m. on October 15 in their respective time zones, and to leave the candle burning for at least one hour to create a continuous wave of light spanning the globe for a 24-hour period to honor and remember the children who have died during pregnancy or shortly after birth; and

WHEREAS, throughout this month, North Dakotans are encouraged to raise more awareness of the prevalence of pregnancy loss and infant loss, and to recognize those bereaved mothers, fathers and families who mourn the loss of their infant.

NOW, THEREFORE, as Governor of the State of North Dakota, I do hereby proclaim October 2013, PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE MONTH in the state of North Dakota.