Senate Honors American Academy of Pediatrics

On September 15, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 204) recognizing the 75th anniversary of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

• In 1930, thirty-five pediatricians founded the American Academy of Pediatrics to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
• Today, the academy is the largest membership organization in the United States dedicated to children’s health, with more than 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists, and pediatric surgical specialists;
• In addition to promoting physical health, the academy also promotes early childhood education, good mental health, reading, environmental health, safety, pediatric research, and the elimination of health care disparities; and
• The academy serves as a voice for the most vulnerable people in the United States by advocating for children with special health care needs, low-income families, victims of abuse and neglect, individuals in underserved communities, and the uninsured.