HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	44
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

DECLARING APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.

     WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect continue to pose a serious threat to our nation's children; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, an estimated 899,000 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect and of that number, 1,460 children died of abuse or neglect; and

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that for every $3 spent on prevention of child abuse and neglect, at least $6 are saved that might otherwise have been spent on child welfare services, special education services, medical care, foster care, counseling, and the housing of juvenile offenders; and

     WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are community problems and finding solutions depends on the involvement of people throughout the community; and

     WHEREAS, the first organized statewide Blue Ribbon Campaign was originated in Norfolk, Virginia, by the grandmother of Bubba Dickinson, a child who was murdered by his mother's abusive boyfriend; and

     WHEREAS, Prevent Child Abuse America has proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month; and

     WHEREAS, blue ribbons are displayed to increase awareness of child abuse and as a strategy for National Child Abuse Prevention Month; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature hereby declares April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the people of Hawaii be encouraged to work together to support youth-serving child abuse prevention activities in their communities and schools during the month of April and throughout the year; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii and the Director of Human Services.

Report Title: 

Child Abuse Prevention Month