[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 13 (Monday, February 14, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H356-H358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF
SOCIAL PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Mr. SALMON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 76) recognizing the social
problem of child abuse and neglect, and supporting efforts to enhance
public awareness of it.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 76
Whereas more than 3,000,000 American children are reported
as suspected victims of child abuse and neglect annually;
Whereas more than 500,000 American children are unable to
live safely with their families and are placed in foster
homes and institutions;
Whereas it is estimated that more than 1,000 children, 78
percent under the age of 5 and 38 percent under the age of 1,
lose their lives as a direct result of abuse and neglect
every year in America;
Whereas this tragic social problem results in human and
economic costs due to its relationship to crime and
delinquency, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and
welfare dependency; and
Whereas Childhelp USA has initiated a ``Day of Hope'' to be
observed on the first Wednesday in April, during Child Abuse
Prevention Month, to focus public awareness on this social
ill: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That--
(1) it is the sense of the Congress that--
(A) all Americans should keep these victimized children in
their thoughts and prayers;
(B) all Americans should seek to break this cycle of abuse
and neglect, and give our children hope for the future; and
(C) the faith community, nonprofit organizations, and
volunteers across America should recommit themselves and
mobilize their resources to assist these children; and
(2) the Congress--
(A) supports the goals and ideas of the ``Day of Hope'';
and
(B) commends Childhelp USA for its efforts on behalf of
abused and neglected children everywhere.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Salmon) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon).
Mr. SALMON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 76, a Sense of
Congress recognizing the problem of child abuse and neglect.
Specifically, my resolution expresses the sense of Congress that,
number one, all Americans should keep abused and victimized children in
their thoughts and prayers. Number two, all Americans should seek to
break the cycle of abuse and neglect. And number three, that the faith
community, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers across America
should recommit themselves and mobilize their resources to assist
abused and neglected children.
In addition, the resolution states that Congress supports the goals
and ideas with a Day of Hope to be observed on the first Wednesday in
April and commence Child Help, USA, for its efforts on behalf of abused
and neglected children everywhere.
The need for this resolution is clear. It is estimated that more than
3 million American children are reported as suspected victims of child
abuse and neglect annually. More than 500,000 children, American
children, are unable to live safely within their families and are
placed in foster care or other institutions. Furthermore, it is
estimated that more than 1,000 children, 78 percent under the age of 5
and 38 percent under the age of 1, die as a direct result of abuse and
neglect every year in America.
At times, the statistics can be overwhelming, even desensitizing. But
all one has to do is look into the eyes of a victim of child abuse to
see the misery that they have endured. Their suffering is a painful
reminder of our failure as a society to provide them with the loving
care that they need and deserve. It also reminds us of the heavy price
that we pay for abuse and neglected children that occurs in our midst
every day. Countless studies have documented the strong correlation
that exists between child abuse and crime, delinquency, domestic
violence, substance abuse, and welfare dependency.
{time} 1430
Of course, we can never put a price on the countless dreams and
aspirations of the innocent youth that are extinguished every year at
the hands of a child abuser. Since 1959, Childhelp USA has led the
charge against child abuse and neglect. Started in Scotsdale, Arizona,
Childhelp USA provides critical social, medical, and educational
services to abused and neglected children. Over the years, they have
helped literally thousands of abused and neglected children escape
abusive situations.
Childhelp USA's commitment to children does not end there. When I
introduced legislation to keep murderers, rapists, and child molesters
locked up in prison, also known as Aimee's Law, I turned to Childhelp
USA for support and help. I have to tell the Members that their hard
work and dedication were vital to the successful effort to pass Aimee's
Law, both in the House and Senate.
Although Aimee's Law has been held up as part of the juvenile justice
bill, I am confident that I can rely on Childhelp USA's support as I
join with other advocates of victims' rights to enact this legislation.
Aimee's Law will finally put a stop to the parade of murderers and
sex offenders that march out of our prisons every year, only to
brutalize innocent people one more time. By doing so, it will protect
literally thousands of people every year, many of them children, from
being victimized by a repeat offender.
Therefore, as we approach the month of April, which is Child Abuse
Prevention Month, it is only fitting that we recognize Childhelp USA
for their caring efforts to end child abuse. Hopefully, their shining
example will inspire more Americans to fight to end this terrible
scourge.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of this resolution and commend
my good friend, the gentleman from Arizona, for bringing the resolution
to the floor today.
I also commend the group Childhelp USA for initiating a ``Day of
Hope'' to be observed on the first Wednesday of April during Child
Abuse Prevention Month. I applaud this effort to focus public awareness
on the social ill of child abuse and neglect.
Madam Speaker, on June 1, 1996, more than 300,000 Americans gathered
at the Lincoln Memorial to express in advance this country's commitment
to our children in a rally called ``Stand for Children.'' Marian Wright
Edelman, the President of the Children's Defense Fund and organizer of
the rally, gave a moving speech which has been memorialized in this
illustrated children's book, also named Stand for Children.
In the book, Ms. Wright Edelman tells the children of our Nation,
``We
[[Page H357]]
stood at the Lincoln Memorial as American families and as an American
community to commit ourselves to putting you, our children, first, to
building a just America that leaves no child behind, and to ensure all
of you a healthy and safe passage to adulthood.''
She goes on to state, ``Everyone agreed on one crucial thing: that no
one in America should harm children and that everyone can do more to
ensure that you grow up safe, healthy, and educated, in nurturing
families and in caring communities.''
Madam Speaker, when I as a member of this great institution think and
deliberate about the issues that come before us each day, I ask myself
one simple question: How will I vote to make this a better society for
my two young sons, Johnny, who is 3, and Matthew, who is 1, who are
going to grow, live and learn throughout much of the 21st century?
Unfortunately, too many of our Nation's children are not considered
when adults make the decisions in their lives. Too often children bear
the brunt of poor decisions, poor circumstances, and poor intentions of
the adults in their life.
It is important that Members of the House, in our positions and with
the influence of this institution, call constant attention to this
national problem, and work tirelessly to break the cycle of abuse and
neglect in the lives of these children.
Before being elected to the House of Representatives, I was a
prosecutor back in my home State in Wisconsin. While I find western
Wisconsin to be an ideal place to live and raise a family, we are not
immune from the tragedy of child abuse. In Wisconsin alone, over 15,000
cases of child abuse or neglect are substantiated every year.
The most difficult cases I prosecuted were those involving cases of
child abuse and child sexual assault. These cases were difficult not
just because the victims were vulnerable children, but because all too
often the crimes involved a breach of a special trust. Children who are
subject to abuse face not only physical torment and scarring, but their
very belief in family, in society, and in relationships are altered.
These children are frequently victimized by the very people entrusted
with their care and upbringing, leaving the children with no one else
to turn to.
The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon) and I both sit on the
Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the devastating effect of
abuse on a child's learning ability cannot go unstated. Studies have
shown that language skills are greatly impaired by abuse, both in the
child's ability to process information and to express themselves.
Academic performance is hampered greatly by abuse, both in language,
testing, and mathematics.
Equally important is the effect of abuse on a child's sense of self-
worth worth and value. Abused children tend to become isolated, and
develop few relationships and friendships. As they grow older, they may
become more confrontational and even delinquent, ultimately leading to
the horrible cycle of becoming abusers themselves.
The need to address this cycle points to the importance of this
resolution today, and the importance of ongoing efforts here at the
Federal level to address the root causes of abuse.
I have joined 142 other Members of Congress in the Missing and
Exploited Children's Caucus, which was founded 3 years ago. I commend
my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) for showing the
initiative and the foresight and recognizing the need to develop that
caucus in Congress.
One big step we in Congress can take this year is to reauthorize the
Violence Against Women Act. Not only does the legislation offer Federal
protection and assistance to single women and mothers who are victims
of domestic violence, but Title II of the Act is focused on limiting
the effects of violence on children. Several sections of the bill
address the abuse of children, both in providing a safe haven for
children, and in addressing the effects of domestic violence situations
on children.
If we as legislators want to do more to prevent the abuse of
children, we can pass the Violence Against Women's Reauthorization Act
this year and support other legislation which actively pursues the
safety of children and families.
Ultimately, this problem of child abuse and neglect will not be
solved by any one action, but by continued vigilance. As Marian Wright
Edelman offers in her book, ``It is always the right time to do right
for children.''
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SALMON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Barrett).
Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of this resolution, I rise in support
of House Concurrent Resolution 76, to enhance the public awareness of
child abuse and neglect.
Child abuse is certainly a nonpartisan issue. I know that all of my
colleagues are fighting for abused and neglected children by promoting
legislation, working with social workers, teachers, and other health
care professionals, and educating their constituents about the problem.
This is an issue, truly an issue that we can all agree upon.
Despite our efforts, I was very disheartened to learn that in my home
State of Nebraska there were 2,482 confirmed cases of child abuse and
neglect last year. This number is even more disturbing because we know
that many cases go unreported.
The good news is that there are a lot of organizations out there
working to help these children. In my district, organizations such as
the Grand Island Association for Child Abuse Prevention provide alcohol
and drug treatment programs and parenting classes to parents at risk.
But there is a lot more work to be done. We need to continue to work
together to make sure that every child is protected. To do that, we
need to educate all Americans about how they can help protect our most
vulnerable citizens.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, in reading through Marian Wright Edelman's book
``Stand for Children'' on the way over here today, she was offering
some I think very helpful recommendations for people back home who may
be paying attention to the problem of child abuse in their communities.
I just want to reference some of those recommendations that she made
toward the back of the book.
She said, ``Here are some ordinary things you can do to Stand for
Children: Hold a yard sale and donate the proceeds to an after-school
program; start a bus token drive at your school for students who cannot
afford transportation costs to the school; organize a winter coat and
shoe drive for children in need, or go through your toybox and donate
some toys to another child or to a shelter; collect used children's
books from your neighbors and donate them to children's programs or a
child health clinic; ask your church, synagogue, temple, or mosque to
open the building at night for children in the community who need
tutoring; create a neighborhood garden or container garden on your
block; write your State legislators and Governor, your representatives
in Congress, and the President to tell them to put children's needs
first.''
Today I am wearing a button that the Children's Defense Fund has been
handing out to draw attention to the plight of child abuse in our
country, and also in commemoration of the resolution here today. It
says, ``Pick on someone your own size.'' I think that pretty well says
it all.
In conclusion, I just want to end with a prayer that Marion Wright
Edelman has at the conclusion of her book:
``O God, forgive our rich nation where small babies die of cold quite
legally.
O God forgive our rich nation, where small children suffer from
hunger quite legally.
O God, forgive our rich nation where toddlers and schoolchildren die
from guns sold quite legally.
O God, forgive our rich nation that lets children be the poorest
group of citizens quite legally.
O God, forgive our rich Nation that lets the rich continue to get
more at the expense of the poor quite legally.
[[Page H358]]
O God, forgive our rich nation that thinks security relatives in
missiles rather than in mothers, and in bombs rather than in babies.
O God, forgive our rich nation for not giving You sufficient thanks
by giving to others their daily bread.
O God, help us never to confuse what is quite legal with what is just
and right in Your sight.''
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Con. Res. 76, and I commend Congressman Salmon for introducing it.
Every year, over 3 million children are reported to be abused in
America. Unfortunately, it is estimated that the actual incidence of
abuse and neglect may be 3 times greater than the number reported. In
fact, we know that more than 3 children die each day as a result of
parental mistreatment. Child abuse may take many forms: it can be
physical, emotional, sexual or as a result of neglect. I know, because
I've been there. Many of you know that I personally experienced the
horrors of domestic violence in my youth. Fortunately for me, my
mother, and my siblings, we were able to escape that horrible situation
and make a better life for ourselves.
Sadly, for millions of children in America that is just not the case.
That is why H. Con. Res. 76 is so important. H. Con. Res. 76 expresses
the sense of this Congress that all Americans must share in the
responsibility of helping fight child abuse. More than that, it
emphasizes the need for the faith community, non-profit organizations
and volunteers across America to mobilize their resources in combating
child abuse. Organizations, such as the Safe Haven Foundation in
Indianapolis, are key in developing programs and providing shelters to
the victims of domestic violence. That is why I am proud to have helped
secure $500,000 in funds to the Safe Haven Foundation, so that it may
continue its important efforts against domestic violence.
Child abusers can come from any socio-economic, religious, or ethnic
background, and since the signs of abuse are varied, we all need to
work together in identifying cases of child abuse. Standing shoulder-
to-shoulder against child abuse, we can help save the lives of those
most vulnerable: our Nation's children.
We need to re-commit ourselves to protecting our children, and this
resolution does just that. Let's keep these children in our thoughts
and prayers, and let's all give H. Con. Res. 76 our strong support.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SALMON. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Morella). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
76.
The question was taken.
Mr. SALMON. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________