PRINTER'S NO. 1179 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE RESOLUTION No.149 Session of 2025 INTRODUCED BY CURRY, CEPHAS, MAYES, GIRAL, VENKAT, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, KAZEEM, PIELLI, BELLMON, RABB, SMITH- WADE-EL, NEILSON, RIVERA, SANCHEZ, D. WILLIAMS, CARROLL, O'MARA, BOYD, CERRATO, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, STEELE AND K.HARRIS, MARCH 31, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, MARCH 31, 2025 A RESOLUTION Recognizing April 11, 2025, as "Black Doula Day" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, The purpose of "Black Doula Day" is to acknowledge the work of Black doulas to improve the physiological, social, emotional and psychological health of women, newborns and families during pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum period; and WHEREAS, "Black Doula Day" takes place on the same day as the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, and also the first day of Black Maternal Health Week, to raise awareness of the benefits Black doulas provide during pregnancy and birth, including reducing the incidence of C-sections, and in the postpartum period, including reducing the incidence of postpartum blues; and WHEREAS, A doula may shorten the length of labor, reduce epidural and analgesic requests, increase breastfeeding 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 initiation and continuation, increase the mother's satisfaction with the birth experience and increase new parents' confidence in the care of their newborn; and WHEREAS, Black doulas, of such noble aims and contributions, should be celebrated and recognized by all the residents of this Commonwealth; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize April 11, 2025, as "Black Doula Day" in Pennsylvania. 20250HR0149PN1179 - 2 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8