[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.

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