79R12383 KO-D

By:  Zedler                                                       H.R. No. 1227



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Head trauma is the leading cause of disability and 
death among infants and children, and during Child Abuse Prevention 
Month in April, the Shaken Baby Alliance of Fort Worth is calling 
attention to a particular form of abusive head trauma that is often 
borne of frustration or ignorance; and
	WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) occurs when a caregiver 
violently shakes or slams a child, usually to stop the child from 
crying; the head and neck of a child younger than two are especially 
vulnerable, and the whiplash motion caused by violent shaking 
results in the tearing and bleeding of delicate veins over the 
child's brain, which in turn cause pressure that destroys brain 
tissue; statistics show that between 25 to 30 percent of SBS victims 
die and that those who do survive usually suffer from one or more 
devastating disorders, which may include permanent brain damage, 
cerebral palsy, paralysis, blindness, or severe learning and 
behavior problems; and
	WHEREAS, Symptoms of SBS range from mild forms of 
irritability, poor feeding, vomiting, and lethargy to more serious 
symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, seizures, comas, and 
death; and
	WHEREAS, The Shaken Baby Alliance of Fort Worth offers 
support and information for families affected by SBS as well as for 
professionals needing information and referral services; founded 
in 1998 by three mothers whose children were victims of SBS, the 
alliance's threefold mission consists of support for victim 
families and professionals, prevention of SBS through education, 
and justice for the innocent victims as shaking a baby is considered 
a serious crime; and
	WHEREAS, It has been estimated that as many as 50 percent of 
teenagers and adult caregivers do not know that shaking a baby is 
dangerous and can be fatal; it is the aim of the Shaken Baby 
Alliance to share this vital information with everyone who cares 
for a child, and Child Abuse Prevention Month in April offers an 
excellent opportunity to disseminate this important message to all 
Texans; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend the Shaken Baby Alliance during Child 
Abuse Prevention Month for their invaluable efforts to help 
affected families and extend to all those associated with the 
alliance sincere best wishes for success in the fight against 
Shaken Baby Syndrome; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.