[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2898-H2899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1293) expressing support for the goals and
ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1293
Whereas ``National Child Abuse Prevention Month'' is
observed in April 2010;
Whereas in 2008, out of an estimated 6,000,000 children
referred for investigations and assessments, approximately
772,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse and
neglect;
Whereas in 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died as a
result of abuse and neglect;
Whereas in 2008, an estimated 80 percent of the children
who died due to abuse and neglect were under the age of 4;
Whereas in 2008, of the children under the age of 4 who
died due to abuse and neglect, the majority were under the
age of 1;
Whereas abused and neglected children have a higher risk in
adulthood for developing health problems, including
alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders,
obesity, suicide, and certain chronic diseases;
Whereas a National Institute of Justice study indicated
that abused and neglected children are 11 times more likely
to be arrested for delinquent behavior as juveniles, and are
2.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent and criminal
behavior as adults;
Whereas an estimated \1/3\ of abused and neglected children
grow up to abuse or neglect their own children;
Whereas providing community-based services to families
impacted by child abuse and neglect is less costly than the
emotional and physical damage inflicted on children who have
been abused and neglected, providing services to abused and
neglected children (including child protective, law
enforcement, court, foster care, or health care services), or
providing treatment to adults recovering from child abuse;
and
Whereas child abuse and neglect has long-term economic and
societal costs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses support for the goals and ideals of National
Child Abuse Prevention Month;
(2) recognizes and applauds the national and community
organizations that work to promote awareness about child
abuse and neglect, including by identifying risk factors and
developing prevention strategies; and
(3) supports efforts to--
(A) increase public awareness of prevention programs
relating to child abuse and neglect; and
(B) reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect in the
United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cummings). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) and the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res.
1293 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1293, which
supports the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Our children are our most precious resources, and they need our support
to thrive and to grow into healthy, productive adults.
During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we raise awareness of
the critical necessity of responding to child abuse, to promoting
healthy families, and to nurturing our children in safe environments
free from abuse, neglect, or fear.
The effects of child abuse and neglect have enormous consequences on
our Nation's children. On average, five children every day are killed
as a result of child abuse or neglect, and a report of child abuse is
made every 10
[[Page H2899]]
seconds in the United States--the wealthiest nation on Earth, I must
remind us.
In 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died as a result of such abuse,
and that number leaves out many more deaths which are not properly
reported for their actual causes. Tragically, sexual, emotional, and
physical abuse threaten too many of our Nation's children every single
day.
Studies have shown that abused or neglected children have a higher
risk in adulthood for developing other health problems, including
alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, suicide,
and certainly other chronic diseases.
Our entire communities--parents, guardians, relatives, neighbors, and
organizations--all share the responsibility of preventing the crime of
child abuse, and our government plays an important role as well. We
must support families to help them stay together and to raise children
into becoming happy, stable, and successful adults.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is about increasing awareness
of the problem so that we can stop child abuse and neglect before it
starts. Together, we can protect children. We can strengthen families.
We must ensure that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and
nurturing environment.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month highlights the roles of
important prevention resources, such as early childhood programs,
family resource centers, parent support groups, respite and crisis
care, and educator training, which can help reduce the risk factors for
child abuse and promote healthy families.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution in support of National Child Abuse
Prevention Month serves to remind us of our collective responsibility
to protect our children from maltreatment and to ensure that all of our
kids have childhoods free from abuse and free from neglect.
I thank Representative Petri for introducing the resolution, and I
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PETRI. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution before us, H.
Res. 1293, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National
Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Child abuse is an unfortunate reality for many of the Nation's
children. No child should have to experience abuse or neglect, but
cases of such are reported every day. Recent data from 2008 indicate
that 772,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect and that
1,740 children died as a result of child abuse and neglect. Eighty
percent of those children were under the age of 4.
Besides the immediate physical and emotional pain that abuse and
neglect can inflict on a child, these experiences can have long-term
effects on the victims as well. Data show abused and neglected children
are at a higher risk of developing health problems, such as alcoholism,
depression, drug abuse, and obesity in adulthood. A National Institute
of Justice study indicates that children who are abused or who are
neglected are 11 times more likely to be arrested for delinquent
behavior as juveniles and are 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for
violent and criminal behavior as adults.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month aims to raise awareness about
child abuse and neglect and to encourage individuals and communities to
support children and families, as community awareness and involvement
is paramount to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the
goals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month encourage members of
every community to support the children in that community.
I would like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Judy Biggert of
Illinois, for introducing this important legislation. I urge all of my
colleagues to support House Resolution 1293, supporting the goals and
ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which raises
awareness of child abuse and the services available to victims.
Child abuse is a tragic, destructive, and a largely silent epidemic
that affects millions of Americans--both children and adults.
And it is never more tragic than when it is sexual in nature.
Unfortunately one in six children in our country experiences this type
of abuse in their lifetime.
In my district, I can think of one young woman in particular who was
abused by a teacher she knew and respected over a decade ago. I am
proud to say that she has recovered and is leading a happy life. She is
also one of the officers in a group headquarted in Santa Ana called The
Innocence Mission, which is working to help prevent abuse.
The Innocence Mission is putting forward a message of empowerment,
one that tells parents they can prevent child sexual abuse. A message
that speaks directly to children and adult survivors and says to
them,--''you are not alone.'' Victims have the support of their
communities, and have nothing to be ashamed of.
Far too often we read stories of child abuse in the headlines. It is
heartbreaking and preventable, and that is why Congress and groups like
the Innocence Mission must continue to advocate for victims and raise
public awareness.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WOOLSEY. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1293, authorized
by the gentlewoman from Illinois, Congresswoman Judy Biggert. I gave
Congressman Petri the credit, but he does so many good things that I
just made that mistake. I ask my colleagues to support the goals and
ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month by voting for this
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1293, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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