By: Castro H.R. No. 1340

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, All children need love, guidance, and safety and deserve to grow up in an environment free of violence and physical harm; and

WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect are a serious and widespread problem in the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, In 2007 alone, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services received more than 240,000 reports of child abuse and neglect, and 223 Texas children died as a result of abuse or neglect; most of the victims were infants or preschool children; and

WHEREAS, The direct costs of child abuse and neglect include the costs of judicial, law enforcement, and health system responses to child maltreatment; in Texas, the costs associated with investigation, care, placement, and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases approach $900 million per year; and

WHEREAS, The enormous costs of child abuse and neglect can be reduced by well-funded and robust child abuse prevention and early intervention programs that break the cycle of violence; and

WHEREAS, There are a number of effective programs that prevent child abuse and neglect, including early childhood education and health care, substance abuse treatment programs, home visitation programs, and parenting programs; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of child protection workers, medical and legal professionals, clergy members, social workers, school teachers, and other adults devote themselves to preventing, detecting, and addressing the effects of child abuse and neglect; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Texans serve as foster parents each year, opening their homes and hearts to children who have suffered abuse and neglect and protecting them from further harm; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of children are adopted by loving parents each year in Texas, providing them with a new start in life after they have experienced maltreatment; and

WHEREAS, It is possible to fight child abuse and neglect with community-based programs that reflect the diversity, strengths, and resources of the many communities in this great state, and it is a worthy goal for all citizens to seek to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our country and to give victimized children hope for the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 2009 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and commend all Texans who work in behalf of the abused and neglected children of our state.