Title
To declare August "Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2012," and to remind Columbus residents that "the road to lifelong health begins with breastfeeding."
Body
WHEREAS, optimal nutrition is of vital significance in the early months and years of life and has a lifelong impact on health; and
WHEREAS, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary feeding at six months and beyond, ensures that both mothers and infants receive maximum health benefits; and
WHEREAS, breast milk is physiologically tailored to meet infants' maturing digestive systems, ensuring proper growth and development; and
WHEREAS, breast milk helps prevent a variety of infections and many chronic diseases, including diarrhea, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and certain childhood cancers; and
WHEREAS, the theme of this year's Breastfeeding Awareness Month is "The Road to Lifelong Health Begins with Breastfeeding," and the promotion of this message supports the city's efforts to improve public health in our community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare August "Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2012" in Columbus, because "the road to lifelong health begins with breastfeeding."