IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1226 
Supporting the designation of National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness 
Week. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2008 
Mrs. LOWEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee 
on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the designation of National Shaken Baby 
Syndrome Awareness Week. 
Whereas the month of April has been designated National 
Child Abuse Prevention Month as an annual tradition ini-
tiated in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter; 
Whereas the third week of April 2008 should be designated 
National Shaken Baby Awareness Week; 
Whereas the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System 
figures reveal that almost 900,000 children were victims 
of abuse and neglect in the United States in 2005, caus-
ing unspeakable pain and suffering for our most vulner-
able citizens; 
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Whereas more than 4 children die of a result of abuse or ne-
glect in the United States each day; 
Whereas children aged 1 year or younger accounted for ap-
proximately 42 percent of all child abuse and neglect fa-
talities in 2005, and children aged 3 years or younger ac-
counted for approximately 77 percent of all child abuse 
and neglect fatalities in 2005; 
Whereas abusive head trauma, including the trauma known 
as Shaken Baby Syndrome, is recognized as the leading 
cause of death among physically abused children; 
Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in a loss of vi-
sion, brain damage, paralysis, seizures, or death; 
Whereas 20 States have enacted statutes related to pre-
venting and increasing awareness of Shaken Baby Syn-
drome; 
Whereas medical professionals believe that thousands of addi-
tional cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome and other forms 
of abusive head trauma are being misdiagnosed or are 
undetected; 
Whereas Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, 
irreparable brain damage or death of an infant, and may 
result in extraordinary costs for medical care in only the 
first few years of the life of the child; 
Whereas the most effective solution for preventing Shaken 
Baby Syndrome is to prevent the abuse, and it is clear 
that the minimal costs of education and prevention pro-
grams may prevent enormous medical and disability costs 
and immeasurable amounts of grief for many families; 
Whereas prevention programs have demonstrated that edu-
cating new parents about the danger of shaking young 
children and how to protect their children from injury 
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•HRES 1226 IH 
can significantly reduce the number of cases of Shaken 
Baby Syndrome; 
Whereas education programs raise awareness and provide 
critically important information about Shaken Baby Syn-
drome to parents, caregivers, daycare workers, child pro-
tection employees, law enforcement personnel, health care 
professionals, and legal representatives; 
Whereas National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week 
and efforts to prevent child abuse, including Shaken 
Baby Syndrome, are supported by groups across the 
United States, including groups formed by parents and 
relatives of children who have been killed or injured by 
shaking, whose mission is to educate the general public 
and professionals about Shaken Baby Syndrome and to 
increase support for victims and the families of the vic-
tims in the health care and criminal justice systems; 
Whereas the Senate previously designated the third week of 
April 2007 National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness 
Week; and 
Whereas the House of Representatives strongly supports ef-
forts to protect children from abuse and neglect: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of National Shak-
en Baby Syndrome Awareness Week; 
(2) commends hospitals, child care councils, 
schools, community groups, and other organizations 
that are— 
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(A) working to increase awareness of the 
danger of shaking young children; 
(B) educating parents and caregivers on 
how they can help protect children from injuries 
caused by abusive shaking; and 
(C) helping families cope effectively with 
the challenges of child-rearing and other 
stresses in their lives; and 
(3) encourages the people of the United 
States— 
(A) to remember the victims of Shaken 
Baby Syndrome; and 
(B) to participate in educational programs 
to help prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome. 
Æ 
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