NC H198

House Resolution honoring the March of Dimes on its 75th anniversary, adopted April 17, 2013.

Recognizes the March of Dimes' founding by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 to fight polio and its development of two vaccines that virtually eliminated the disease.

Acknowledges the organization's shift in 1958 to preventing birth defects and premature birth, leading to establishment of nationwide birth defects monitoring programs and research centers.

Highlights the March of Dimes' advocacy for national newborn screening standards through the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act (2008) and its 2006-enacted PREEMIE Act to expand research and services for premature births.

Honors the organization's goal of reducing preterm birth to 9.6% by 2020 and its ongoing programs supporting healthy pregnancies, infants, and families through advocacy and volunteer efforts.