H.Res. 1163

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1163 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1163

Supporting the recognition of a ``Day of Remembrance and Commitment to 
Maternal Health Equity'', honoring the life of Kira Johnson, and 
commending 4Kira4Moms for its unwavering dedication to improving 
maternal health in Atlanta, throughout Georgia, and across the United 
States, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 9, 2026

Ms. Williams of Georgia submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

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RESOLUTION

Supporting the recognition of a ``Day of Remembrance and Commitment to 
Maternal Health Equity'', honoring the life of Kira Johnson, and 
commending 4Kira4Moms for its unwavering dedication to improving 
maternal health in Atlanta, throughout Georgia, and across the United 
States, and for other purposes.

Whereas, on April 13, 2016, Kira Johnson tragically passed away following the 
birth of her second son due to preventable medical complications, a loss 
that devastated her family and exposed urgent gaps in accountability and 
quality within the Nation's maternal health system;
Whereas Kira Johnson's passing became the catalyst for the founding of 
4Kira4Moms by her husband, Charles Johnson, who transformed profound 
grief into a national movement demanding transparency, equity, and 
systemic reform;
Whereas, since its founding, 4Kira4Moms has worked tirelessly to improve 
maternal health outcomes, elevate the voices of Black mothers, educate 
families, engage fathers, and advocate for Federal and State policies 
that advance maternal health equity;
Whereas 4Kira4Moms has supported and advanced landmark Federal maternal health 
legislation, including the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, which 
strengthened maternal mortality review committees nationwide to better 
understand and prevent pregnancy-related deaths;
Whereas 4Kira4Moms has championed the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a 
comprehensive legislative package addressing social determinants of 
health, workforce diversification, data collection, climate impacts, and 
community-based investments in maternal care;
Whereas, in honor of Kira Johnson's legacy, the proposed Kira Johnson Act 
advances critical accountability measures by--

(1) providing grants to community-based organizations to improve 
maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black women and underserved 
communities;

(2) funding training programs to identify and reduce bias, racism, and 
discrimination for all employees in maternity care settings;

(3) establishing respectful maternity care compliance programs within 
hospitals to handle, report, and address instances of patient mistreatment; 
and

(4) directing research and oversight, including instructing the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study training 
program effectiveness and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to 
evaluate the impact of hospital compliance offices;

Whereas 4Kira4Moms is an official endorser of the Dads Matter Act, recognizing 
that engaged fathers and supportive partners are essential contributors 
to improved maternal and infant health outcomes and that Federal policy 
must strengthen paternal engagement as a protective factor for families;
Whereas the organization also supports legislation such as the PREEMIE 
Reauthorization Act and related perinatal quality improvement 
initiatives to strengthen care systems and reduce preventable 
complications;
Whereas, under the leadership of founder Charles Johnson and Executive Director 
Gabrielle Albert, 4Kira4Moms has strengthened its commitment to Atlanta, 
Georgia, and communities nationwide through advocacy campaigns, public 
awareness initiatives, fatherhood engagement programs, and partnerships 
designed to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes;
Whereas Black women in the United States continue to experience 
disproportionately high rates of pregnancy-related deaths and severe 
maternal morbidity, underscoring the urgent need for sustained Federal 
leadership, accountability, and community-driven solutions; and
Whereas April 11, 2026, marks the 10-year commemoration of Kira Johnson's life 
and legacy, a solemn milestone that calls the Nation to reflection, 
remembrance, and renewed commitment to ensuring that no maternal death 
is preventable: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the recognition of a ``Day of Remembrance and 
Commitment to Maternal Health Equity'', honoring the life of 
Kira Johnson and commending 4Kira4Moms for its unwavering 
dedication to improving maternal health in Atlanta, throughout 
Georgia, and across the United States; and
(2) applauds founder Charles Johnson and Executive Director 
Gabrielle Albert for their steadfast leadership in advancing 
legislative solutions, promoting respectful maternity care, 
strengthening paternal engagement, and working to eradicate 
preventable maternal mortality nationwide.
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