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Regular Session, 2010 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 24
BY SENATOR AMEDEE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To designate Monday, April 19, 2010, as "Shaken Baby Prevention Day" in the state of
Louisiana, in honor of Rey Wayne.
WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, also known as Abusive Head Trauma, is a
term used to describe signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and
impacting of the head of an infant or small child; and
WHEREAS, when a baby is shaken, his brain rotates within the skull cavity, injuring
or destroying brain tissue and causing blood vessels to be torn and bleeding around the brain,
and the act may cause retinal bleeding; and
WHEREAS, immediate consequences from shaking a baby may be compromised
breathing, a decreased level of consciousness, seizures, the inability to swallow, and limp
arms and legs; and
WHEREAS, some long-term consequences may be physical disabilities, blindness,
hearing or speech impairment, cerebral palsy, and death; and
WHEREAS, in 2000 through Child Advocacy Services, court-appointed special
advocates (CASA), were appointed to be representatives for one year old Rey Wayne; and
WHEREAS, Rey Rey, as he was affectionately called, was born in Hammond and
was at one time a healthy and beautiful child with ocean blue eyes; and
WHEREAS, at the age of four weeks, while in the care of his parents, Rey Rey was
violently shaken; and
WHEREAS, after obvious signs of injury, it was determined by staff members at
Children's Hospital in New Orleans that he was suffering from the effects of Shaken Baby
Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Rey Rey experienced significant developmental delays and deficiencies,
and as he grew he descended into a vegetative state; and SCR NO. 24 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, because of exceptional and unrelenting attention to his every need from
his grandparents, Rey Rey lived for nine years; and
WHEREAS, according to his pediatrician, Rey Rey was a very special little boy who
made a lasting impression on all who knew him; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2008, Rey Rey died as a result of complications from
Shaken Baby Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, after Rey Rey's death, Child Advocacy Services honored his life by
dedicating its outdoor therapy center as a memorial to his short life; and
WHEREAS, this memorial led to the formulation of the Hammond Shaken Baby
Syndrome Prevention Coalition whose goal is to prevent this tragic form of abuse; and
WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, irreparable brain
damage or death to an infant and may result in more than one million dollars in medical
costs to care for a child in its first years of life; and
WHEREAS, since 1979, the month of April has been designated as "National Child
Abuse Prevention Month" as an annual tradition that was initiated by former President
Jimmy Carter; and
WHEREAS, educational programs have been shown to raise awareness and provide
critically important information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, caregivers,
daycare workers, child protection employees, law enforcement personnel, health care
professionals and legal representatives.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana, in recognition
of the importance of the ongoing fight against child abuse, does hereby designate Monday,
April 19, 2010, as "Shaken Baby Prevention Day" in Louisiana, in honor of Rey Wayne.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Coalition.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES