[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11187-S11188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 300--TO DESIGNATE NATIONAL SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME 
                             AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. WELLSTONE (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. 
Frahm, Mr. Reid, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Exon, Mrs. Boxer and Mr. Kennedy) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 300

       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome describes the consequences 
     that occur when a young child is violently shaken;
       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome is so lethal that 20 to 25 
     percent of its victims die, and most survivors suffer brain 
     damage;
       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome accounts for 10 to 12 percent 
     of all child abuse and neglect cases in the United States;
       Whereas 25 to 50 percent of teenagers and adults do not 
     know that shaking a baby is dangerous;
       Whereas education is the key to preventing this tragedy; 
     and
       Whereas the United States has a continuing commitment to 
     the health and safety of this Nation's children:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of November 
     3, 1996, as ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week''. 
     The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling 
     upon the people of the United States to observe such week 
     with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I submit a resolution 
designating the week of November 3, 1996 as National Shaken Baby 
Syndrome Awareness Week. America's children are its most priceless and 
irreplaceable resource, and I am proud to lend them my voice in the 
U.S. Senate. Today, I speak for America's children as I urge my 
colleagues to consider this important resolution.
  Shaking a baby causes serious brain injury. A baby's head accounts 
for one-fourth of its weight and is supported by weak and 
underdeveloped neck muscles. When a baby is shaken, it causes the brain 
to rock back and forth, hitting the skull with great force. This can 
cause the brain to bleed, bruise, or swell, resulting in the 
possibility of blindness, deafness, paralysis, epilepsy, cerebral 
palsy, and developmental disability. In many cases, this can also lead 
to death.
  Brandon and Teddy are two very special little boys from my home State 
of Minnesota. They are survivors of a common and deadly form of child 
abuse that is often committed out of simple ignorance. Brandon and 
Teddy were violently shaken by their birth mothers out of frustration. 
This type of abuse and its resulting injuries are known as shaken baby 
syndrome or SBS.
  Brandon and Teddy are survivors, but they will bear the scars of 
their abuse for the rest of their lives. Both boys have been adopted 
and are receiving expert care from a committed and loving family. 
Brandon is 6 years old and is stricken with a permanent brain injury. 
He has a seizure disorder, shunts in his head, and a permanent blind 
spot as a result of being shaken. Brandon receives special education 
services and learns very slowly. Teddy is 4 years old and does not 
speak. His brain injury impacts his problem-solving capability and his 
education is a long and tedious process. Teddy will probably never be 
able to live independent of a care-giver.
  Brandon and Teddy's injuries were entirely preventable. A study by 
the Ohio Research Institute on Child Abuse Prevention indicates that 25 
to 50 percent of adults do not know that shaking a baby is dangerous. 
Education of adult and teenage child care providers is the key to 
preventing the tragic consequences of SBS. According to studies by the 
U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, SBS is so lethal that 
over 20 percent of its victims die from the resulting injuries. These 
injuries may account for over 10 percent of all physical child abuse 
deaths in the United States.

  On November 10, 1996, the first National Conference on Shaken Baby 
Syndrome will convene in Salt Lake City, UT. At this conference a 
coalition of families, doctors, law enforcement people, and child 
protection officials will gather to discuss the issues surrounding SBS. 
These committed individuals will work to educate medical professionals 
about the symptoms of SBS, push for more severe penalties for 
perpetrators, and teach all segments of the public that it's never OK 
to shake a baby.
  Mr. President this resolution emphasizes the importance of this 
historic conference. It is my hope that the Senate will continue its 
commitment to the health and safety of America's children by supporting 
this resolution.
  I ask unanimous consent that the list of supporting agencies be 
listed in the Record.

[[Page S11188]]

  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   Organizations by State Supporting Shaken Baby Syndrome Resolution

     AL--Alabama Children's Trust Fund
     AK--Rural Community Action Program
     AR--Arkansas Child Abuse Prevention
     AZ--National Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse: AZ 
         Chpt.
     CA--Office of Child Abuse Prevention
     CO--Pueblo City-County Health Dept.
     CT--Wheeler Clinic, Plainville, CT
     DE--Delawareans United to Prevent Child Abuse
     FL--Florida Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse
     GA--Georgia Council on Child Abuse, Inc.
     HI--Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii
     ID--Idaho Children Services Bureau
     IN--Indiana Chapter NCPCA
     IA--Iowa Chapter NCPCA
     KS--Child Abuse Prevention Coalition
     KY--Kentucky Council on Child Abuse, Inc.
     LA--Louisina Council on Child Abuse
     ME--Maine Dept. of Maternal and Child Health
     MD--Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
     MA--Massachusetts Committee for Children and Youth
     MI--Michigan Children's Trust Fund
     MN--Midwest Children's Resource Center
     MS--Mississippi Children's Trust Fund
     MO--MO Dept. of Health--Bureau of Prenatal and Child Health
     MT--Cascade Cty. Child Abuse Prevention Council, Great Falls, 
         MT
     NE--Nebraska Department of Social Services
     NV--Nevada Chapter NCPCA
     NH--NH Bureau of Maternal and Child Health
     NJ--New Jersey Chapter NCPCA
     NM--NM Dept. of Children, Youth and Families
     NY--William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Families Trust Fund
     NC--Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina
     ND--Children's Hospital MeritCare
     OH--Council on Child Abuse of Southern Ohio
     OK--Children's Hospital of Oklahoma
     OR--Children's Trust Fund
     RI--Rhode Island Committee to Prevent Child Abuse
     SC--SC Office of Public Health--Social Work
     SD--SD Office of Child Protection Services
     TN--Tennessee Dept. of Human Services
     TX--Children's Trust Fund of Texas
     UT--Child Abuse Prevention of Ogden
     VT--Vermont Chapter NCPCA
     VA--SCAN of Northern Virginia, Inc.
     WA--WA Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
     WV--WV Children's Reportable Disease Coordinator
     WI--WI Child Protection Center/Outpatient Health Center
     WY--Wyoming Dept. of Family Services
     DC--Children's Nat'l Medical Center--Div. of Child 
         Protection.

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