110 HRES 1226 IH: Supporting the designation of National U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1226 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2008 Mrs. Lowey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.

Whereas the month of April has been designated National Child Abuse Prevention Month as an annual tradition initiated in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter; Whereas the third week of April 2008 should be designated National Shaken Baby Awareness Week; Whereas the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System figures reveal that almost 900,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States in 2005, causing unspeakable pain and suffering for our most vulnerable citizens; Whereas more than 4 children die of a result of abuse or neglect in the United States each day; Whereas children aged 1 year or younger accounted for approximately 42 percent of all child abuse and neglect fatalities in 2005, and children aged 3 years or younger accounted for approximately 77 percent of all child abuse and neglect fatalities in 2005; Whereas abusive head trauma, including the trauma known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, is recognized as the leading cause of death among physically abused children; Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in a loss of vision, brain damage, paralysis, seizures, or death; Whereas 20 States have enacted statutes related to preventing and increasing awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome; Whereas medical professionals believe that thousands of additional cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome and other forms of abusive head trauma are being misdiagnosed or are undetected; Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, irreparable brain damage or death of an infant, and may result in extraordinary costs for medical care in only the first few years of the life of the child; Whereas the most effective solution for preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome is to prevent the abuse, and it is clear that the minimal costs of education and prevention programs may prevent enormous medical and disability costs and immeasurable amounts of grief for many families; Whereas prevention programs have demonstrated that educating new parents about the danger of shaking young children and how to protect their children from injury can significantly reduce the number of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome; Whereas education programs raise awareness and provide critically important information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, caregivers, daycare workers, child protection employees, law enforcement personnel, health care professionals, and legal representatives; Whereas National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week and efforts to prevent child abuse, including Shaken Baby Syndrome, are supported by groups across the United States, including groups formed by parents and relatives of children who have been killed or injured by shaking, whose mission is to educate the general public and professionals about Shaken Baby Syndrome and to increase support for victims and the families of the victims in the health care and criminal justice systems; Whereas the Senate previously designated the third week of April 2007 National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week; and Whereas the House of Representatives strongly supports efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the designation of National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week; (2)commends hospitals, child care councils, schools, community groups, and other organizations that are— (A)working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking young children; (B)educating parents and caregivers on how they can help protect children from injuries caused by abusive shaking; and (C)helping families cope effectively with the challenges of child-rearing and other stresses in their lives; and (3)encourages the people of the United States— (A)to remember the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome; and (B)to participate in educational programs to help prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome.