[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 64 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 163, 
submitted earlier today.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 163) designating the third week of 
     April 2007 as ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness 
     Week''.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, along with Senators Alexander, Bayh, 
Bennett, Boxer, Cantwell, Clinton, Coleman, Domenici, Durbin, Hatch, 
Levin, Lieberman, Salazar, and Schumer, I am in support of our 
resolution to proclaim the third week of April of 2007 as ``National 
Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.'' The Senate has passed similar 
resolutions each year since 2001, and we strongly support continued 
awareness of one of the most devastating forms of child abuse in this 
country, abuse that results in the severe injury, lifelong disability, 
or death of hundreds of children each year.
  In recognition of the need to eliminate child abuse and to raise 
awareness about the issue, the month of April has again been designated 
``National Child Abuse Prevention Month,'' an annual tradition that was 
initiated in 1979 by former President Jimmy Carter. As we focus on 
child abuse prevention this month, awareness and prevention of Shaken 
Baby Syndrome is an important component of these efforts.
  I would like to recognize the many groups, including those formed by 
parents and relatives who have been killed or injured by shaking, who 
support this effort to increase awareness of one of the most 
devastating forms of child abuse. These supporters include the American 
Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Neurological 
Surgeons, the American Psychological Association, The Arc of the United 
States, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, the 
Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Brain Injury 
Association of America, the Center for Child Protection and Family 
Support, the Child Welfare League of America, Children's Healthcare is 
a Legal Duty, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Cynthia Gibbs 
Foundation, Don't Shake Jake, Easter Seals, Epilepsy Foundation of 
America, Family Voices, the Hannah Rose Foundation, the Kierra Harrison 
Foundation, the National Association of Children's Hospitals, the 
National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, the 
National Center for Learning Disabilities, the National Child Abuse 
Coalition, the National Crime Prevention Council, the National Exchange 
Club Foundation, the National Family Partnership, the National Respite 
Coalition, the National Shaken Baby Coalition, Parents Anonymous, 
Prevent Child Abuse, the Shaken Baby Alliance, the Shaken Baby 
Association, Shaken Baby Prevention Inc., Shaken Baby Syndrome 
Prevention Plus, the SKIPPER Initiative, United Cerebral Palsy, A Voice 
for Gabbi, and many other groups.
  I urge the Senate to adopt this resolution designating the third week 
of April 2007 as ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week,'' and 
to take part in the many local and national activities and events 
recognizing the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention 
Month.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in 
the Record.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 163) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 163

       Whereas the month of April has been designated ``National 
     Child Abuse Prevention Month'' as an annual tradition that 
     was initiated in 1979 by former President Jimmy Carter;
       Whereas the most recent National Child Abuse and Neglect 
     Data System figures reveal that almost 900,000 children were 
     victims of abuse and neglect in the United States in 2005, 
     causing unspeakable pain and suffering to our most vulnerable 
     citizens;
       Whereas among the children who are victims of abuse and 
     neglect, more than 4 children die in the United States each 
     day;
       Whereas children aged 1 year or younger accounted for 
     approximately 42 percent of all child abuse and neglect 
     fatalities in 2005, and children aged 3 years or younger 
     accounted for approximately 77 percent of all child abuse and 
     neglect fatalities in 2005;
       Whereas abusive head trauma, including the trauma known as 
     ``Shaken Baby Syndrome'', is recognized as the leading cause 
     of death of physically abused children;
       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in loss of vision, 
     brain damage, paralysis, seizures, or death;
       Whereas a 2003 report in the Journal of the American 
     Medical Association estimated that, in the United States, an 
     average of 300 children will die each year, and 600 to 1,200 
     more will be injured, of whom \2/3\ will be babies or infants 
     under 1 year in age, as a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome, 
     with many cases resulting in severe and permanent 
     disabilities;
       Whereas medical professionals believe that thousands of 
     additional cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome and other forms of 
     abusive head trauma are being misdiagnosed or are not 
     detected;
       Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, 
     irreparable brain damage or death to an infant and may result 
     in extraordinary costs for the provision of medical care to 
     the infant in just the first few years of life of the infant;
       Whereas the most effective solution for ending Shaken Baby 
     Syndrome is to prevent the abuse, and it is clear that the 
     minimal costs of education and prevention programs may 
     prevent enormous medical and disability costs and 
     immeasurable amounts of grief for many families;
       Whereas prevention programs have demonstrated that 
     educating new parents about the danger of shaking young 
     children and how they can help protect their child from 
     injury can bring about a significant reduction in the number 
     of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome;
       Whereas education programs have been shown to raise 
     awareness and provide critically important information about 
     Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, caregivers, daycare workers, 
     child protection employees, law enforcement personnel, health 
     care professionals, and legal representatives;
       Whereas ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week'' 
     and efforts to prevent child abuse, including Shaken Baby 
     Syndrome, are supported by groups across the United States, 
     including those formed by parents and relatives of children 
     who have been killed or injured by shaking, whose mission is 
     to educate the general public and professionals about Shaken 
     Baby Syndrome and to increase support for victims and the 
     families of the victims in the health care and criminal 
     justice systems;
       Whereas Congress previously designated the third week of 
     April 2001 as ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week 
     2001''; and
       Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to protect 
     children from abuse and neglect: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the third week of April 2007 as ``National 
     Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week'';
       (2) commends those hospitals, child care councils, schools, 
     community groups, and other organizations that are--
       (A) working to increase awareness of the danger of shaking 
     young children; and
       (B) educating parents and caregivers on how they can help 
     protect children from injuries caused by abusive shaking; and
       (C) helping families cope effectively with the challenges 
     of child-rearing and other stresses in their lives; and
       (3) encourages the citizens of the United States to--
       (A) remember the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome; and
       (B) participate in educational programs to help prevent 
     Shaken Baby Syndrome.

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