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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 29
BY SENATORS AMEDEE, NEVERS AND QUI NN
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To designate Thursday, May 26, 2011, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Day" in the
state of Louisiana, in honor of Rey Wayne Gatlin.
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 were appointed to be representatives for one year old Rey Wayne Gatlin; and
WHEREAS, Rey Rey, as he was affectionately called, was born in Hammond,
Louisiana, 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, Louisiana, 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
WHEREAS, because of exceptional and unrelenting attention to his every need from
his grandparents, Rey Rey lived for nine years; and SCR NO. 29 ENROLLED
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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, Child Advocacy Services is honoring Rey Rey's life by dedicating its
new resource tool for preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome entitled "SBS:101 - Don't Shake
Take a Break™" that offers education on the symptoms, triggers, coping techniques, and
consequences associated with Abusive Head Trauma; and
WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome often results in permanent, irreparable brain
damage and death to an infant and may result in more than one million dollars in medical
costs to care for a child in its first year of life; 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 employee s, law enforcement personnel, healthcare
professionals and legal representatives; 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.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana, in recognition
of the importance of the ongoing fight against child abuse, does hereby designate Thursday,
May 26, 2011, as "Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Day" in Louisiana, in honor of Rey
Wayne Gatlin.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Child Advocacy Services.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES