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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 29
BY SENATORS AMEDEE, NEVERS AND QUI NN
CHILDREN. Designates Thursday, May 26, 2011, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention
Day" in the state of Louisiana, in honor of Rey Wayne Gatlin.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To designate Thursday, May 26, 2011, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Day" in the2
state of Louisiana, in honor of Rey Wayne Gatlin.3
WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, also known as Abusive Head Trauma, is a4
term used to describe signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and5
impacting of the head of an infant or small child; and6
WHEREAS, when a baby is shaken, his brain rotates within the skull cavity, injuring7
or destroying brain tissue and causing blood vessels to be torn and bleeding around the brain,8
and the act may cause retinal bleeding; and9
WHEREAS, immediate consequences from shaking a baby may be compromised10
breathing, a decreased level of consciousness, seizures, the inability to swallow, and limp11
arms and legs; and12
WHEREAS, some long-term consequences may be physical disabilities, blindness,13
hearing or speech impairment, cerebral palsy, and death; and14
WHEREAS, in 2000 through Child Advocacy Services, Court Appointed Special15
Advocates, were appointed to be representatives for one year old Rey Wayne Gatlin; and16
WHEREAS, Rey Rey, as he was affectionately called, was born in Hammond,17
Louisiana, and was at one time a healthy and beautiful child with ocean blue eyes; and18 SCR NO. 29
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WHEREAS, at the age of four weeks, while in the care of his parents, Rey Rey was1
violently shaken; and2
WHEREAS, after obvious signs of injury, it was determined by staff members at3
Children's Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, that he was suffering from the effects of4
Shaken Baby Syndrome; and5
WHEREAS, Rey Rey experienced significant developmental delays and deficiencies,6
and as he grew he descended into a vegetative state; and7
WHEREAS, because of exceptional and unrelenting attention to his every need from8
his grandparents, Rey Rey lived for nine years; and9
WHEREAS, according to his pediatrician, Rey Rey was a very special little boy who10
made a lasting impression on all who knew him; and11
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2008, Rey Rey died as a result of complications from12
Shaken Baby Syndrome; and13
WHEREAS, Child Advocacy Services is honoring Rey Rey's life by dedicating its14
new resource tool for preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome entitled "SBS:101 - Don't Shake15
Take a Break™" that offers education on the symptoms, triggers, coping techniques, and16
consequences associated with Abusive Head Trauma; and17
WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, irreparable brain18
damage and death to an infant and may result in more than one million dollars in medical19
costs to care for a child in its first year of life; and20
WHEREAS, educational programs have been shown to raise awareness and provide21
critically important information about Shaken Baby Syndrome to parents, caregivers,22
daycare workers, child protection employees, law enforcement personnel, healthcare23
professionals and legal representatives; and24
WHEREAS, since 1979, the month of April has been designated as "National Child25
Abuse Prevention Month" as an annual tradition that was initiated by former President26
Jimmy Carter.27
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana, in recognition28
of the importance of the ongoing fight against child abuse, does hereby designate Thursday,29
May 26, 2011, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Day" in Louisiana, in honor of Rey30 SCR NO. 29
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Wayne Gatlin.1
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the2
Child Advocacy Services.3
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle Broussard-Johnson.
DIGEST
Amedee SCR No.
Designates Thursday, May 26, 2011, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Day" in the
state of Louisiana, in honor of Rey Wayne Gatlin.