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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 544
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WHEREAS, While children are vital to our state's future |
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success, prosperity, and quality of life, they are also the most |
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vulnerable members of society; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2018, there were more than 66,000 Texas |
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children who were confirmed as victims of child abuse and |
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neglect, and more than 20,600 Texas children were removed from |
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their homes as a result of abuse; in addition, there were 211 |
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child fatalities due to abuse and neglect; and |
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WHEREAS, In the past five years, 75 percent of child |
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fatalities due to abuse and neglect occurred in children who were |
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three years old or younger; and |
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WHEREAS, The short-term and long-term costs of child abuse |
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and neglect incurred through medical treatment, foster care, law |
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enforcement proceedings, mental health care, special education, |
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juvenile delinquency, and lost productivity are estimated at |
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$830,928 per victim; these costs to Texans amounted to over $55 |
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billion for child maltreatment in 2018; and |
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WHEREAS, Child maltreatment also carries enormous negative |
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societal consequences, including mental illness, substance |
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abuse, developmental delays, teen pregnancy, academic |
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underachievement, criminal behavior, unemployment, poverty, and |
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chronic disease; and |
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WHEREAS, All children deserve to have the safe, stable, |
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nurturing homes and communities that are necessary for fostering |
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their healthy growth and development; and |
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WHEREAS, Child abuse is a state and community problem, and |
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successfully protecting children depends upon investments in |
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evidence-based prevention and the support and encouragement that |
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citizens throughout the community offer parents and other |
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caregivers; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize that April is National Child Abuse |
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Prevention Month; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate call upon all citizens, elected |
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officials, community agencies, religious organizations, medical |
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facilities, schools, and businesses to increase their |
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participation in efforts to protect children from abuse and |
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neglect and to advocate for investments in child abuse prevention |
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and in the health, safety, and livelihood of all Texans. |
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West |
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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 8, 2019. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |