[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 50 (Thursday, April 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 300--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF APRIL 23-30, 2000, AS 
            ``NATIONAL SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK''

  Mr. WELLSTONE submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 300

       Whereas the month of April has been designated National 
     Child Abuse Prevention Month, an annual tradition initiated 
     by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979;
       Whereas the most recent government figures show that over 
     1,000,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 1997, 
     causing unspeakable pain and suffering to our most vulnerable 
     citizens;
       Whereas among the children who are victims of abuse and 
     neglect, more than 3 children die each day in this country;
       Whereas the rate of child fatalities has risen by 37 
     percent between 1985 and 1997, with children aged 3 and 
     younger accounting for 77 percent of the fatalities;
       Whereas head trauma is the leading cause of death of abused 
     children, including the trauma known as Shaken Baby Syndrome;
       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome, which results from a 
     caregiver losing control and shaking a baby usually less than 
     1 year of age, and can cause loss of vision, brain damage, 
     paralysis, seizures, or death, is a totally preventable form 
     of child abuse;
       Whereas an estimated 3,000 children are diagnosed with 
     Shaken Baby Syndrome every year, with thousands more 
     misdiagnosed and undetected;
       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, 
     irreparable brain damage or death to an infant, and more than 
     $1,000,000 in medical costs in just the first few years of 
     life to care for a single, disabled child;
       Whereas the most effective solution to ending Shaken Baby 
     Syndrome is to prevent such abuse, and it is clear that the 
     minimal costs of educational and prevention programs may 
     prevent the enormous medical and disability costs and untold 
     grief for many families;
       Whereas prevention programs have been shown to raise 
     awareness and provide critically important information about 
     Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, caregivers, day-care 
     workers, child protection employees, law enforcement 
     personnel, health care professionals, and legal 
     representatives;
       Whereas prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome is supported by 
     groups such as the Shaken Baby Alliance, an organization 
     which began with 3 mothers of children who had been diagnosed 
     with Shaken Baby Syndrome, and whose mission is to educate 
     the general public and professionals about Shaken Baby 
     Syndrome and to increase support for victims and victim 
     families in the health care and criminal justice systems;
       Whereas child abuse prevention programs and ``National 
     Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week'' are supported by the 
     Shaken Baby Alliance, Children's Defense Fund, American 
     Academy of Pediatrics, Child Welfare League of America, 
     Prevent Child Abuse America, Brain Injury Association, 
     National Child Abuse Coalition, National Exchange Club 
     Foundation, and many other organizations including the 
     National Basketball Association which is sponsoring a series 
     of ``NBA Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Night 2000'' events 
     to generate public awareness about the issue of child abuse 
     and neglect during National Child Abuse Prevention Month 
     2000;
       Whereas a year 2000 survey by Prevent Child Abuse America 
     shows that \1/2\ of all Americans believe child abuse and 
     neglect is the most important issue facing this country 
     compared to other public health issues; and
       Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to protect 
     children from abuse and neglect: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of April 23-
     30, 2000, as ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness 
     Week''.

                          ____________________