[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1428-S1429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 14--RECOGNIZING THE SOCIAL PROBLEM OF 
   CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC 
                            AWARENESS OF IT

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Kohl) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions, as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 14

       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 Senate (the House of Representatives 
     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 to give these 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

[[Page S1429]]

       (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.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, for far too long, our nation has been 
almost silent about the needs of some of its most vulnerable families 
and children--those caught in the vicious cycle of child abuse. That is 
why, today, I am introducing a Senate concurrent resolution recognizing 
the first Wednesday of April as a National Day of Hope dedicated to 
remembering the victims of child abuse and neglect and recognizing 
Childhelp USA for initiating such a day. I am pleased to be joined in 
this effort by my friend and colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Kohl, 
with whom I have worked for many years on issues affecting youth at 
risk.
  This resolution expresses the sense of the Congress that we must 
break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by mobilizing all our 
resources including the faith community, nonprofit organizations and 
volunteers. Childhelp USA is one of our oldest national organizations 
dedicated to meeting the needs of abused and neglected children. By 
focusing its efforts on prevention and research as well as on 
treatment, this organization has provided help to thousands of children 
since it was founded in 1959. Childhelp USA and many other non-profits 
or faith-based organizations nationwide are performing a vital service 
to abused and neglected children that they would not have otherwise, 
and they are to be commended.
  I know first-hand the importance of having help when it is needed. 
The National Day of Hope Resolution calls on each of us to renew our 
duty and responsibility to the vulnerable children and families caught 
in the cycle of child abuse and neglect.
  To further observe the National Day of Hope, a cross-country ride has 
been organized by a group of Harley-Davidson owners in Northern 
Arizona. This ``Cycle of Hope'' will help turn the eyes of our entire 
nation to the suffering of the victims of child abuse. As a motorcycle 
enthusiast myself, I look forward to being a part of that effort.
  More than 3 million American children are reported as suspected 
victims of child abuse and neglect each year. That is 3 million 
children too many. And, it is estimated that more than 1,000 children, 
78 percent under the age of 5 and 38 percent under one year of age, 
lose their lives as a direct result of abuse and neglect every year. 
That is not acceptable. We must do something to change these 
statistics.
  While I am encouraged by the efforts of many organizations 
nationwide, more needs to be done. That is why I urge my colleagues to 
act quickly on this resolution so we can move one step closer to 
erasing the horror of child abuse from our nation's history.

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