[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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