SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 429
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is designating
the third week in the month of April as Shaken Baby Syndrome
Awareness Week; and
WHEREAS, The month of April has been designated as National
Child Abuse Prevention Month, a tradition that was initiated in
1979 by President Jimmy Carter; hundreds of thousands of children
become victims of abuse and neglect in the United States every
year; and
WHEREAS, Abusive head trauma, including the trauma known
as Shaken Baby Syndrome, is known to be the leading cause of death
of physically abused children; Shaken Baby Syndrome can result in
brain damage, paralysis, seizures, loss of vision, or death; and
WHEREAS, Education and prevention programs on Shaken Baby
Syndrome are the most effective means to prevent the abuse, and
the cost of these programs is minimal compared to the medical
costs of caring for a disabled child in the first few years of
life; and
WHEREAS, Prevention programs have demonstrated that
educating new parents about the danger of shaking young children
can bring about a significant reduction in the number of Shaken
Baby Syndrome cases, and education programs have provided
critically important information about the syndrome to the
public; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby declare the third week in April Shaken Baby
Syndrome Awareness Week and commend the hospitals, child care
councils, schools, and other organizations that educate parents
and caregivers about this vital issue and about how to protect
children from other forms of abuse; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
acknowledgement of Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.
Lucio
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 16, 2009.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate