NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Senate passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) that would promote public awareness of strategies and best practices that can be utilized to help prevent children from drowning.
The bill is named for Roxie Mirabelle Forbes, who tragically drowned at summer camp when she was six years old.
“Thousands of preventable deaths occur each year due to drowning and it is particularly distressing to know that many of these tragedies involve children,” Singer said. “By designating the third full week of May as ‘Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children’ we are raising awareness about this heart-breaking reality. Through proactive education and advocacy, we could improve water safety and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.”
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States, especially for children under the age of five.
Senator Singer’s joint resolution, SJR-27, would address this issue by increasing awareness and access to educational tools.
The resolution calls on:
- The Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing the third full week of May as Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children; and
- Public officials and residents to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities.
