WHEREAS, Congress has recognized the third week in April as National Shaken Baby Awareness Week; and
     WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome is known as the leading cause of death among physically abused children; and
     WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome is a totally preventable form of child abuse, caused by a caregiver losing control and shaking a baby who is usually under the age of two years; and
     WHEREAS, Characteristics of Shaken Baby Syndrome are subdural hemorrhages, damage to the spinal cord and neck, and fractures of the ribs and bones; these injuries may not be immediately noticeable; and
     WHEREAS, Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome are extreme irritability, lethargy, poor feeding or sucking, breathing problems, convulsions, vomiting, pale or bluish skin, and a coma; and
     WHEREAS, Medical professionals believe that thousands of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are being misdiagnosed or not detected; and
     WHEREAS, Shaken Baby Syndrome results in permanent and irreversible brain damage or death to an infant and may result in more than $1,000,000 in medical costs to care for a single, disabled child in just the first year of life; and
     WHEREAS, Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome includes early recognition of child abuse, parenting support through classes, education of health care personnel and family members, stress reduction for parents, and careful evaluation of those outside the family who take care of children; and
     WHEREAS, Efforts to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome are supported by advocacy groups across the United States that were formed by parents and relatives of children who have been killed or injured by shaking, such as The National Shaken Baby Coalition, The Shaken Baby Association, The Skipper (Shaking Kills: Instead Parents Please Educate and Remember) Initiative, Shaken Baby Alliance, Shaken Baby Prevention, Inc., A voice for Gabbie, Don't Shake Jake, and the Kierra Harrison Foundation, whose mission is to educate the general public and professionals about Shaken Baby Syndrome and to increase support for victims and victims' families in the health care and criminal justice system;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor the efforts of those who advocate on behalf of victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome during National Shaken Baby Awareness Week, the third week in April, by encouraging the people of Washington State to remember the victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome and to participate in educational programs to help prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome.