Gallego Joins National Water Safety Foundation to Highlight Drowning Prevention

Press Release

U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) and other Members of Congress joined with The ZAC Foundation -- a national water safety advocacy and education foundation -- to increase awareness of drowning prevention and water safety for America's most vulnerable children through a special reading of a Spanish-language water safety book and video.

The video is being released in advance of Labor Day -- statistically one of the highest drowning weeks during the swimming season. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, most child drowning deaths happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the risk of drowning is highest in minority populations with the fatal drowning rate almost three times that of Caucasian children. Members of Congress came together to read the book in Spanish and help engage at-risk children to help them become water safety advocates for their families and communities. Members of Congress participating included Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas), Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-California), Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-California), Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-California), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-California), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-California), Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Texas), and Rep. Joe Garcia (D-Florida).

The ZAC Foundation co-founders, Karen and Brian Cohn wrote the water safety book in memory of their 6-year-old son Zachary, who drowned after his arm became trapped by the suction of their backyard pool drain. This year they are releasing the Spanish-language version of their children's book, El Oso Polar Que No Podia, Ni Queria Nadar or The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim.

"As parents of a child who drowned, Karen and Brian Cohn's work is amazing -- they overcame the tremendous pain of losing a young son and now advocate so no other parents have to go through the pain they did," U.S. Rep. Gallego said. "We must invest in safety for our children. We must also learn the best practices the ZAC Foundation recommends so our children can enjoy swimming in a safe environment."

El Oso Polar Que No Podia, Ni Queria Nadar follows the journey of a young polar bear named Zeke who is afraid of the water and refuses to swim. He leaves his home in search of other animals that do not swim, and ends up finding that he can enjoy the water if he follows the ABC and Ds of water safety, not only learning valuable water safety lessons but also overcoming his fear of the water.

"We wrote this book to teach children and their families simple lessons like the ABC and Ds of water safety that could hopefully save a life one day," said Karen Cohn. "We are so grateful to U.S. Rep. Gallego for helping highlight water safety and drowning prevention. These efforts will help us reach many more people to share these important safety tips."

As seen on CNN, Fox News and over 50 network affiliates across the country, the lessons in the El Oso Polar Que No Podia, Ni Queria Nadar have reached more than 3,000 children through the Foundation's signature water safety program called ZAC Camps in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. ZAC Camps teach children valuable water-safety skills through swimming instruction, classroom lessons, and hands-on activities with First Responders.

The ZAC Foundation was established in 2008 by Brian and Karen Cohn after the loss of their 6-year-old son Zachary Archer Cohn in a pool drain entrapment in their backyard swimming pool. Through education and advocacy, the Foundation is dedicated to ensuring no other family endures the death of a child in a water-related tragedy. To learn more about The ZAC Foundation, connect with us on Facebook and thezacfoundation.com.

Source