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[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 300 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 300

 Designating the week of April 23-30, 2000, as ``National Shaken Baby 
                       Syndrome Awareness Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 27, 2000

Mr. Wellstone submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Designating the week of April 23-30, 2000, as ``National Shaken Baby 
                       Syndrome Awareness Week''.

Whereas the month of April has been designated National Child Abuse Prevention 
        Month, an annual tradition initiated by former President Jimmy Carter in 
        1979;
Whereas the most recent Government figures show that over 1,000,000 children 
        were victims of abuse and neglect in 1997, causing unspeakable pain and 
        suffering to our most vulnerable citizens;
Whereas among the children who are victims of abuse and neglect, more than 3 
        children die each day in this country;
Whereas the rate of child fatalities has risen by 37 percent between 1985 and 
        1997, with children aged 3 and younger accounting for 77 percent of the 
        fatalities;
Whereas head trauma is the leading cause of death of abused children, including 
        the trauma known as Shaken Baby Syndrome;
Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome, which results from a caregiver losing control and 
        shaking a baby usually less than 1 year of age, and can cause loss of 
        vision, brain damage, paralysis, seizures, or death, is a totally 
        preventable form of child abuse;
Whereas an estimated 3,000 children are diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome 
        every year, with thousands more misdiagnosed and undetected;
Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, irreparable brain 
        damage or death to an infant, and more than $1,000,000 in medical costs 
        in just the first few years of life to care for a single, disabled 
        child;
Whereas the most effective solution to ending Shaken Baby Syndrome is to prevent 
        such abuse, and it is clear that the minimal costs of educational and 
        prevention programs may prevent the enormous medical and disability 
        costs and untold grief for many families;
Whereas prevention programs have been shown to raise awareness and provide 
        critically important information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, 
        caregivers, day-care workers, child protection employees, law 
        enforcement personnel, health care professionals, and legal 
        representatives;
Whereas prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome is supported by groups such as the 
        Shaken Baby Alliance, an organization which began with 3 mothers of 
        children who had been diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome, and whose 
        mission is to educate the general public and professionals about Shaken 
        Baby Syndrome and to increase support for victims and victim families in 
        the health care and criminal justice systems;
Whereas child abuse prevention programs and ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome 
        Awareness Week'' are supported by the Shaken Baby Alliance, Children's 
        Defense Fund, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Welfare League of 
        America, Prevent Child Abuse America, Brain Injury Association, National 
        Child Abuse Coalition, National Exchange Club Foundation, and many other 
        organizations including the National Basketball Association which is 
        sponsoring a series of ``NBA Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Night 
        2000'' events to generate public awareness about the issue of child 
        abuse and neglect during National Child Abuse Prevention Month 2000;
Whereas a year 2000 survey by Prevent Child Abuse America shows that \1/2\ of 
        all Americans believe child abuse and neglect is the most important 
        issue facing this country compared to other public health issues; and
Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to protect children from abuse and 
        neglect: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of April 23-30, 2000, 
as ``National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week''.
                                 <all>
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