[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 51 (Monday, April 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GREENVILLE SAFE KIDS COALITION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB INGLIS

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 25, 2005

  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, be advised that this 
resolution is to express appreciation to the Greenville SAFE KIDS 
Coalition for ten years of distinguished service to the state of South 
Carolina and our Nation in its work to protect children from 
unintentional childhood injuries.
  Whereas, only a decade ago, Greenville was much less safe for 
children. Eighty percent of kids rode their bicycles without helmets. 
About 40 percent of older children traveled in motor vehicles without 
using a safety belt and countless younger kids did not ride in approved 
car seats. One in five families went to sleep each night without the 
benefit of a smoke alarm. In fact, unintentional childhood injury was 
the leading killer of children 14 and under in Greenville in 1994. To 
address what was a little-recognized problem Greenville SAFE KIDS 
Coalition was created.
  Whereas, I am pleased to report that since the inception of the 
Greenville SAFE KIDS Coalition, there has been a dramatic 24 percent 
decline in the unintentional injury death rate among children 14 and 
under. The combined efforts of Greenville SAFE KIDS Coalition, under 
the leadership of Greenville Hospital System's Children's Hospital, 
have led to remarkable achievements in preventing childhood death and 
injury. The Coalition's multifaceted effort includes public awareness, 
education, distribution of safety devices, enactment and enforcement of 
laws, and a grassroots partnership program that embodies the countywide 
strategy that accounts for the progress.
  Whereas, in 10 years, there has been a 50 percent decline in the 
child pedestrian injury death rate, a 10 percent decline in the child 
motor vehicle related death rate, a 34 percent decline in the death 
rate from childhood drowning, a 53 percent decline in the death rate 
from bicycle injuries and a 56 percent decline in the residential fire-
related injury death rate. Unfortunately, even with these impressive 
advances, unintentional injury is still the number one killer of 
Greenville's children. Each year, more than 10 children die and more 
than 8,000 are injured seriously enough to require medical attention. 
That is a staggering one of four children. The program works with 
Emergency Rooms, physicians, schools, and Greenville County's Child 
Fatality Review Task Force to track trends on how and why injuries 
occur. Programs are then developed in specific injury areas to increase 
awareness and ultimately prevent injuries. Examples of their activities 
include assisting high risk families in obtaining smoke detectors, 
hosting monthly car seat inspections, distributing thousands of bike 
helmets, and teaching children about home safety through the nationally 
recognized Buddy's Home Improvement House.
  Whereas, Greenville SAFE KIDS first-ever ``Progress Report on 
Preventing Unintentional Injuries'' tracks a decade of work in 
prevention. It presents a detailed picture of the particular risks that 
kill and disable more children than disease, homicide or suicide. This 
report also maps out a strategy for the next 10 years and issues 
specific calls to action across injury areas.
  Whereas, in their 10th anniversary year, Greenville SAFE KIDS 
Coalition looks forward to continued growth through strategic 
partnerships with sponsors, health professionals, schools, legislators, 
industry and sister communities. Through these partnerships, Greenville 
SAFE KIDS will lead important advocacy initiatives that will result in 
safer environments for children at home, at school, at play and on the 
way. Greenville SAFE KIDS Coalition remains committed to reducing 
unintentional childhood injuries and keeping children out of GHS 
Children's Hospital.
  Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the 
Senate concurring:
  That all members encourage parents, caregivers, schools, business 
leaders, legislators and health professionals to make preventing 
unintentional childhood injuries a priority and to continue supporting 
the efforts of Greenville SAFE KIDS Coalition to save and protect the 
lives of our children.
  Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to 
Greenville SAFE KIDS, South Carolina SAFE KIDS and National SAFE KIDS.

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