PRINTER'S NO. 4293
No. 873 Session of 2008
INTRODUCED BY M. SMITH, BELFANTI, BEYER, BRENNAN, COHEN, DALEY,
DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS,
GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HERSHEY, HESS, JAMES, KORTZ, KULA,
MAHONEY, MAJOR, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MILLARD, MURT,
MUSTIO, PALLONE, PARKER, PAYNE, PAYTON, PHILLIPS, RAMALEY,
RAPP, READSHAW, ROCK, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCHRODER,
SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, STABACK, SWANGER, VEREB, VITALI,
VULAKOVICH, WANSACZ, J. WHITE, WOJNAROSKI AND YOUNGBLOOD,
SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing September 24, 2008, as "Parental Alienation Syndrome
2 Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania as a means to draw attention
3 to this growing problem that endangers the mental and
4 emotional health of a child.
5 WHEREAS, Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a
6 psychological condition most often observed in children affected
7 by high conflict divorce and separation; and
8 WHEREAS, The most common symptom of children affected by PAS
9 is a severe opposition to contact with one parent and overt
10 hatred toward that parent when there is little to no logical
11 reason to explain the child's behavior; and
12 WHEREAS, The effects of PAS can last well into adulthood and
13 may last for a lifetime with tragic consequences; and
14 WHEREAS, A pattern of alienation on the part of a parent
15 usually begins without any malicious or conscious intent to harm
1 the relationship between the other parent and the child; and
2 WHEREAS, Most parents are unaware of how subtle behaviors and
3 comments can hurt the relationship between a child and a
4 targeted parent; and
5 WHEREAS, Some alienating parents develop skills that help
6 them manipulate their children to hurt the other parent on
7 purpose and for vengeance; and
8 WHEREAS, Various studies show that children exposed to even
9 mild alienation may have trouble learning, concentrating,
10 relaxing or getting along with their peers, as well as
11 developing physical and behavioral problems; and
12 WHEREAS, The mission of the Parental Alienation Awareness
13 Organization is to educate the public and professionals about
14 PAS, its effects on children and how it can be prevented by
15 raising national and international awareness of this growing
16 problem; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives declare September
18 24, 2008, as "Parental Alienation Syndrome Awareness Day" in
19 Pennsylvania as a means to bring further awareness of this
20 devastating issue facing children of divorce or separation to
21 the citizens of this Commonwealth.
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