WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) kicked off the Congressional Caucus on Infant Health and Safety with the help of a special expert, infant Brendan Dougherty, aged six months and son of a former Capps staffer. 

Capps, a former school nurse, serves as co-chair of the newly-formed Caucus with her colleague Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito (R-WVA).  The Caucus is dedicated to promoting issues important to all families concerning the health and wellbeing of infants, particularly addressing infant mortality, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the contribution of unsafe sleep practices to infant mortality, and campaigns and programs that have been proven to be successful at reducing infant mortality. The Caucus held its inauguaral event today with its first educational briefing and a formal introduction of the Caucus and its mission.

“It is so appropriate that we are formally launching this new Caucus dedicated to promoting infant health and safety on the heels of Mother’s Day,” said Capps, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Infant Health and Safety.  “As a mother and grandmother, I know how challenging caring for a young infant can be.  Our Caucus is dedicated to building awareness about the steps families can take to raise a healthy infant.” 

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.