AJR59 TR

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblyman WILLIAM B. SAMPSON, IV

District 31 (Hudson)

Assemblyman DONALD A. GUARDIAN

District 2 (Atlantic)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Inganamort

SYNOPSIS

Designates May 15 of each year as "Water Safety Day" in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As reported by the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee with technical review.

A Joint Resolution designating May 15 of each year as “Water Safety Day” in New Jersey.

Whereas, Water safety involves proactive measures to prevent drowning, accidents, and injuries in proximity to bodies of water; and

Whereas, The Red Cross specifies water competence as maintaining awareness of water conditions, knowing physical limitations, and never swimming alone; and

Whereas, Safe water activity requires supervision, access to safety equipment, and awareness of lifesaving techniques; and

Whereas, When practiced safely, water activities may encourage healthy development, improved confidence, and collective wellbeing; and

Whereas, Drowning is a costly public health issue, often caused by risky water behavior; and

Whereas, Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages one to 14, and a leading cause for ages one to 17; and

Whereas, More children ages one through four die from drowning than from any other cause, except birth defects; and

Whereas, Drowning results in over 4,000 unintentional fatalities each year, accounting for an estimated $53 billion in direct and indirect costs; and

Whereas, Worldwide, drowning claims 236,000 lives annually; and

Whereas, Over half of all fatal and nonfatal drownings among those 15 years and older occur in natural waters such as rivers, lakes, and oceans; and

Whereas, Victims of drowning are disproportionately individuals of color, and 45 percent of Hispanic children and 64 percent of African-American children lack the ability to swim; and

Whereas, African-American children ages five through 19 are 5.5 times more likely to drown in a swimming pool; and

Whereas, Providing formal swim lessons for youth under four has been shown to reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent; and

Whereas, May 15 is National and International Water Safety Day, designed to raise public awareness of safe water practices; and

Whereas, It is reasonable, necessary, and in the public interest for this State to adopt measures to raise awareness for behaviors that prevent water-related harms; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. May 15 of each year is designated as “Water Safety Day” in New Jersey to raise awareness for safe water practices and accident prevention.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation recognizing “Water Safety Day” in New Jersey, and to call upon public officials and citizens of this State to annually observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.