1Designating November 21, 2013, as "Children's Grief Awareness
2Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Children who have had a loved one die, especially a
4close family member, can carry that loss within them forever,
5and it sometimes causes confusion in their minds as to why their
6loved one was taken away; and

7WHEREAS, Highmark Caring Place is a center for grieving
8children, adolescents and their families, and there are four
9Caring Place centers throughout this Commonwealth; and

10WHEREAS, Some families regard Highmark Caring Place centers
11as the salvation of their family unit, a place where, above all,
12they can find comfort, understanding and help in time of grief;
13and

14WHEREAS, "Children's Grief Awareness Day" was begun in this
15Commonwealth by the Highmark Caring Place in 2008 in order to

1help others understand the impact of death on children and their
2need for support; and

3WHEREAS, "Children's Grief Awareness Day" is observed every
4year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, immediately preceding
5the winter holidays, which can be a particularly difficult time
6for grieving children; and

7WHEREAS, A simple way to participate is to encourage as many
8people as possible to wear blue on that day as a symbol of
9support for "Children's Grief Awareness Day"; and

10WHEREAS, The Caring Team for Children is an initiative of
11Highmark Caring Place which encompasses hundreds of schools,
12businesses and community partners working together to increase a
13common awareness of the needs of grieving children; and

14WHEREAS, This year, on November 21, 2013, Caring Team for
15Children schools, along with children and adults from all walks
16of life across Pennsylvania, will join together with thousands
17of others nationally and internationally to show their support
18for grieving children by participating in "Children's Grief
19Awareness Day"; and

20WHEREAS, The House of Representatives applauds the work being
21accomplished by the Highmark Caring Place and the Caring Team
22for Children schools across this Commonwealth; therefore be it

23RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
24November 21, 2013, as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in
25Pennsylvania.