[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2635]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BURN AWARENESS WEEK

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 7, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the importance of National Burn Awareness Week. Burn 
Awareness Week is February 2-8, and provides an opportunity to educate 
children and families about the risks that lead to unfortunate and 
tragic accidents, particularly for the youngest and most vulnerable--
our babies and children.
  Unfortunately, infants and young children face greater risks from 
burn injuries than adults or older children. They rely more 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 orthopaedic 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 100 
percent free, despite the fact that they will spend $1.5 million 
dollars on children every 24 hours in 2003.
  In recognition of Burn Awareness Week, Mr. Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to commend such charitable organizations as the Shriners 
Hospitals that contribute greatly to the care, education, and research 
necessary to treat and work to prevent children's burn accidents. I 
also intend to support the Shriners Hospitals' efforts by sponsoring a 
bill that will help to prevent burn accidents by strengthening the 
flammability standards for children's sleepwear. I hope my colleagues 
will help to support me in this effort.

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