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.