[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
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

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                               speech of

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 14, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Madam Speaker, in this land of diversity, one belief is 
nearly common to us all: Children are our greatest resource.
  Children represent our hope for the future. They are our special 
treasures and deserve every protection we can provide them. Statistics 
show that every 10 seconds a child is abused and more than 3 children a 
day die as a result of abuse. Given statistics like these, it is 
critical that we, as a bipartisann body, continue our efforts and use 
all of our abilities and resources to ensure that our children, our 
national treasures, are protected and have the greatest opportunities 
to grow up happy, healthy, well-educated and strong. We must re-double 
our efforts to help break the cycle of abuse and violence that affects 
so many children.
  Recently, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 
reported that the number of missing children reports filed in 1999 
dropped to the lowest level since 1993. This glorious news demonstrates 
that our legislative efforts, and the diligent efforts of organizations 
like Childhelp USA, do make a difference. More importantly, it means 
that more children are out of harm's way. Nonetheless, we cannot become 
complacent because too many children remain victims of abuse. 
Therefore, we must stand firm in our commitment to our children and 
their well-being.
  This Day of Hope resolution demonstrates this resolve and I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution for the sake of our national 
treasures--our children.

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