[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 518 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 518

  Designating the third week of April 2008 as ``National Shaken Baby 
                       Syndrome Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 16, 2008

Mr. Dodd submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating the third week of April 2008 as ``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 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System figures reveal that 
        more than 900,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the 
        United States in 2006, causing unspeakable pain and suffering for our 
        most vulnerable citizens;
Whereas more than 4 children die as a result of abuse or neglect in the United 
        States each day;
Whereas children younger than 1 year old accounted for approximately 44 percent 
        of all child abuse and neglect fatalities in 2006, and children younger 
        than 3 years old accounted for approximately 78 percent of all child 
        abuse and neglect fatalities in 2006;
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 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, childcare 
        providers, 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 as 
        ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week''; and
Whereas the Senate strongly supports efforts to protect children from abuse and 
        neglect: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the third week of April 2008 as ``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.
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