LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 29 - May 5, 2013, as Screen-Free Week in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official
weeks established to increase awareness about the importance to "Be
Screen Smart" in an effort to reduce the amount of time children spend
connected to media-based entertainment in order to engage in activities
that help all young children to learn and grow, improve their health and
increase their success in school and life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 29 - May 5, 2013, as Screen-
Free Week in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Screen-Free Week, a national campaign promoted regionally by
The Early Years Institute (EYI), a regional nonprofit organization based
on Long Island and hosted nationally by the Campaign for Commercial-Free
Childhood, is about reducing screen-based entertainment, especially as
schools become more technological, and engaging parents to take an annu-
al pledge to reduce home use of screens and encouraging schools and
community organizations to participate annually by offering alternative
activities that will enhance children's school readiness, physical well-
being, literacy, social and emotional development and communication
skills; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of President Dana E. Friedman,
EYI invites parents, schools, libraries, pediatricians, places of
worship and parks to work together to promote children's health and
well-being so they are prepared for school success; and
WHEREAS, Spending too much time with screens (TV, computers, video
games, tablets, and cell phones) means they are not doing other things
that are better for their health and education; and on average,
preschool children, ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week with screen media and
children ages 8 to 18 spend 7.5 hours a week with screens; and this
screen time has a negative impact on health by leading to childhood
obesity, sleep disturbances and attention span issues; and a negative
effect on children's social and emotional development, such as increased
hyperactivity, emotional problems and interpersonal problems with peers;
and that the cumulative effect of such screen time means children are
spending less time in creative play and activities that support the
foundation of learning, creativity, problem-solving and conflict resol-
ution that are critical for school success; and
WHEREAS, Screen-Free Week, formerly called Turn-off TV Week, an annual
event welcomed by thousands of people nationwide and throughout our
region, belongs to the children and families of NYS; and
WHEREAS, Success in school starts in the early years and has been
supported by the Governor's Education Reform Commission and the Early
Childhood Advisory Committee and today stands as a call-to-action for
families, schools, libraries, child care providers, communities and
businesses to contribute to the school success of all children; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of the Legislative Body that when nonprofits
such as The Early Years Institute, a regional nonprofit organization
based on Long Island, are brought to our attention, they should be cele-
brated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 29 - May 5, 2013,
as an annual Screen-Free Week event in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and Dana E. Friedman, Ed.D., President of The Early Years Insti-
tute.