[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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