Press Releases

Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on House Passage of Her Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act

Today, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement after House passage of her legislation, the Scarlett’s Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death  Act:

“Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants and Children creates heartache for families who are left to search for answers after the devastating loss of a child. I am so thankful to Stephanie Zarecky and John Kahan, among other parents who have suffered loss, whose incredible advocacy helped advance this legislation. 

The House passage of the Scarlett Sunshine Act brings us one step closer to providing the funds for further research and training that ensures these tragic deaths are properly investigated. We need answers to ensure that no more families will ever have to experience this pain again. I will continue to work with my colleagues to see this bill signed into law as soon as possible.” 

“Scarlett’s Sunshine Act offers hope to families like mine, who have lost a child to SIDS,” said John Kahan, founder of the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital and Vice President, Chief Data Analytics Officer at Microsoft. “The legislation opens research to improve data quality and collection, which will be integral for policymakers, researchers, academics, nonprofits and health professionals. I thank House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Pallone as well as the bill’s cosponsors U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Tom Cole for their leadership.”

“Scarlett’s Sunshine is definitely shining down on us today as we celebrate the House passage of this critical legislation,” said Scarlett’s parents, Stephanie Zarecky and Ryan Pauley. “On January 8th, 2017, our hearts and our lives were shattered when our beautiful, healthy, thriving 16-month-old daughter, Scarlett Lillian Pauley, went to sleep and never woke up. And we do not know why. Losing a child is the single greatest pain we could ever imagine and living without answers magnifies the tragedy exponentially. It is our greatest wish that no family experiences what we have.  We are so grateful to Congresswoman Moore, as well as Representatives Herrera Beutler, Cole, McMorris Rodgers, and Pallone for their leadership on Scarlett’s Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act in honor of Scarlett and all of the other children who are deeply loved and dearly missed.”