WHEREAS:

Adequate food and nutrition is one of the most basic necessities of a healthy birth and development of a child; and

WHEREAS:

Malnutrition can compromise the health of pregnant women and babies; and

WHEREAS:

Insufficient prenatal nutritional care can cause prematurity or low birth weight, the major cause of infant death; and

WHEREAS:

The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has been found to have a major impact on reducing the incidence of low birth rates; and

WHEREAS:

Less than one-half of the eligible nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and children currently receive benefits because of insufficient program funding.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME supports the reauthorization of the WIC program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly urge the Congress to raise the appropriations level for the WIC Program so that all eligible low income women, infants and children can be served.

SUBMITTED BY:

Dominic J. Badolato, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1303, Council 4
New Britain, Connecticut