[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2488]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          BURN AWARENESS WEEK

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I ask our colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the importance of National Burn Awareness Week, February 2 
to 8. This week provides an opportunity to educate children and 
families about the risks that lead to unfortunate and tragic accidents.
  Unfortunately our most vulnerable, infants and young children, face 
greater risks from burn injuries than adults or older children. They 
rely on the adults around them to ensure their environment is safe and 
free from potential burn-causing hazards. That is why in addition to 
treating over 20 percent of all pediatric burns in the Nation at their 
four national burn centers in Boston, Galveston, Cincinnati, and 
Sacramento, Shriners Hospitals focus on education and prevention of 
burn injuries.
  The Shriners Hospitals for Children is a unique charitable 
organization that has never sought nor received Federal, State, local, 
or third-party funding of any kind. Additionally, Shriners Hospitals 
are distinctive in that they offer full physical, psychological, and 
emotional care to all the children they treat.
  The annual budget for the 22 orthopedic and burn hospitals totals 
over half a billion dollars and has an active patient roster of over 
156,000 children. It is obvious how important the Shriners Hospitals 
are to the health of our children. The Shriners Hospitals are 
completely free to victims, despite the fact that they will spend $1.5 
million on children every day this year.
  In recognition of Burn Awareness Week, I ask my colleagues to commend 
such charitable organizations as the Shriners Hospitals that contribute 
to the care, education, and research necessary to treat and work to 
prevent children's burn accidents.

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