No. 14
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April 10th of each year as "Liam's Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Joint Resolution designating April 10th of each year as "Liam's Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, In our modern society, with the advancement of medical technology and specialized care, we expect children to outlive their parents. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Approximately 53,000 children die each year from accidents, trauma, congenital conditions, prematurity, inherited disorders, or acquired diseases; and
Whereas, The causes of death in children are substantially different from the causes of death in adults; therefore, inpatient palliative care guidelines that are appropriate for adults are often inappropriate for children; and
Whereas, Inpatient pediatric palliative care includes the control of pain and other symptoms and addresses the psychological, social, or spiritual problems faced by terminally-ill children and their families. The goal of inpatient pediatric palliative care is the achievement of the best quality of life for pediatric patients and their families consistent with their values; and
Whereas, On March 9, 2007, at the age of 16 months, Liam Hayden McNamara passed away due to a condition called Lissencephaly (Miller-Dieker Syndrome). Before his passing, Liam and his family visited the hospital many times; becoming very familiar with their hospital surroundings which, among other things, consisted of oatmeal colored walls, fluorescent lights, and a metal crib; and
Whereas, Liam's Room was founded by Lisa and Peter McNamara, in memory of their son, Liam. The mission of Liam's Room is to create inpatient pediatric palliative care rooms and services for families whose children are suffering from chronic, potentially life-limiting conditions, in order to provide pediatric patients and their families with a feeling of having a home away from home during periods of inpatient care; and
Whereas, It is appropriate that all citizens of the State of New Jersey be better informed about the need for inpatient pediatric palliative care and its impact on the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April 10th of each year is designated as "Liam's Day" in the State of New Jersey to promote awareness of the need for inpatient pediatric palliative care in New Jersey.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs, which promote awareness of the need for inpatient pediatric palliative care in New Jersey.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates April 10th of each year as "Liam's Day" to promote awareness of the need for inpatient pediatric palliative care in New Jersey.
On March 9, 2007, at the age of 16 months, Liam Hayden McNamara passed away due to a condition called Lissencephaly (Miller-Dieker Syndrome). Before his passing, Liam and his family visited the hospital many times; becoming very familiar with their hospital surroundings which, among other things, consisted of oatmeal colored walls, fluorescent lights, and a metal crib. The mission of Liam's Room, founded by Lisa and Peter McNamara in memory of their son, Liam, is to create inpatient pediatric palliative care rooms and services for families whose children are suffering from chronic, potentially life-limiting conditions, in order to provide pediatric patients and their families with a feeling of having a home away from home during periods of inpatient care.