Legislative Alert - Initiative A2335/S1171
 would establish a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth, a
hearing in the NJ Legislature.

Friends,
 
I am writing to ask your support in getting the initiative A2335/S1171,
which would establish a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth, a
hearing in the NJ Legislature. 
 
We are called to act in compassion to those among us who are suffering.
Those who have lost a child during pregnancy or infancy often suffer in
silence.   It makes a difference for parents who struggle with the loss
of an infant to stillbirth to have the child recognized by a birth
certificate.  This is a positive step in working for the respect for all
human life, especially in the womb, where life is most vulnerable.
 
Please take a moment to send an e-mail to Senators Vitale and
Matheussen, as well as to your own Senator and Assembly members.  I have
attached Senator Kean's original letter and a sample response below.
 
Thanks for your help!
 
Peace,
Lori
Lori La Plante
Part-Time Pastoral Associate
St. Gregory the Great
(609)587-1131x249
 
 
As a concerned individual who has written to me in the past regarding my
initiative, A2335, which would establish a certificate of birth
resulting in stillbirth, I wanted to let you know that I was sworn into
the New Jersey Senate in January.  As a Senator, I have signed on as the
second prime sponsor with Senator James Cafiero of S1771, the Senate's
identical version of A2335. 
 
    I have already sent a letter to Senator Joseph Vitale and Senator
John Matheussen, co-chairs of the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior
Citizens Committee, asking that they hear S1771 in their committee.
However, I need your assistance.  I ask that you work with me in the
Senate to advocate this measure by writing to the Senate co-chairs and
requesting that they post S1771 for committee consideration as soon as
possible.  They can be reached at SenVitale@njleg.org and
SenMatheussen@njleg.org
 
    Thank you for your interest in this important measure.  I remain
optimistic that with your help New Jersey can join the quickly growing
list of states that offer parents a compassionate response to the
tragedy of stillbirth.
 
    Sincerely,
    Senator Thomas H. Kean
 
 
Dear Assemblywoman Weinberg,

As a parent who knows the despair of losing two children to stillbirth I
am writing to encourage you to schedule Assembly Bill A2335 for a
hearing.

I have been through the process of childbirth four times, but society
only recognizes me as the mother of two as only two of my children were
born alive.  Imagine the pain of the parent who has no living children;
the mother who goes through the pains of labor only to be told she is
NOT a mother because her child was not born alive.

Again, I implore you to schedule Assembly Bill A2335 for a hearing.

Thank you, in advance for your attention to this most important of
matters