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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 588
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WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect is an epidemic in the |
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United States, killing more than three children every day in |
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America, nearly 85 percent of whom are under the age of six and |
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nearly half of whom are under the age of one; and |
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WHEREAS, A child is abused or neglected every 11 minutes |
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in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The number of Texas children in foster care due |
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to child abuse increased by 30 percent between the years 2001 |
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and 2005; and |
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WHEREAS, The direct costs of child abuse and neglect to our |
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nation, including judicial, law enforcement, and health system |
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responses to child maltreatment, are estimated at $24 billion |
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each year; in Texas, the costs associated with investigation, |
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care, placement, and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases |
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approach $900 million per year; and |
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WHEREAS, The enormous costs of child abuse and neglect can |
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be reduced by well-funded and robust child abuse prevention and |
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early intervention programs that break the cycle of violence; and |
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WHEREAS, The 80th Texas Legislature is considering |
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continuing and new funding for a number of effective programs |
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that prevent child abuse and neglect, including early childhood |
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education and health care, substance abuse treatment programs, |
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home visitation programs, and parenting programs; and |
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WHEREAS, Thousands of child protection workers, medical |
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and legal professionals, clergy members, social workers, school |
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teachers, and other adults devote themselves to preventing and |
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detecting child abuse and neglect, as well as addressing their |
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effects; and |
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WHEREAS, Thousands of Texans serve as foster parents each |
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year, opening their homes and hearts to children who have suffered |
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child abuse and neglect and protecting them from further harm; and |
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WHEREAS, Thousands of children are adopted by loving parents |
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each year in Texas, providing them with a new start in life after |
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they have experienced maltreatment; and |
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WHEREAS, It is possible to fight child abuse and neglect |
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with community-based programs that reflect the diversity, strengths, |
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and resources of the many communities in this great state; and |
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WHEREAS, All Americans should seek to break the cycle of child |
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abuse and neglect in our country and to give victimized children |
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hope for the future; and |
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WHEREAS, All children need love, guidance, and safety and |
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deserve to grow up in an environment free from violence and physical |
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harm; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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80th Legislature, hereby recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention |
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Month and commend all Texans who work on behalf of the abused and |
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neglected children of our state; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. |
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| Deuell |
Gallegos |
Van de Putte |
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Dewhurst, President of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on April 2, 2007. |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |