Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1293) expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1293 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1293, which supports the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Our children are our most precious resources, and they need our support to thrive and to grow into healthy, productive adults.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we raise awareness of the critical necessity of responding to child abuse, to promoting healthy families, and to nurturing our children in safe environments free from abuse, neglect, or fear.

The effects of child abuse and neglect have enormous consequences on our Nation's children. On average, five children every day are killed as a result of child abuse or neglect, and a report of child abuse is made every 10

seconds in the United States--the wealthiest nation on Earth, I must remind us.

In 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died as a result of such abuse, and that number leaves out many more deaths which are not properly reported for their actual causes. Tragically, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse threaten too many of our Nation's children every single day.

Studies have shown that abused or neglected children have a higher risk in adulthood for developing other health problems, including alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, suicide, and certainly other chronic diseases.

Our entire communities--parents, guardians, relatives, neighbors, and organizations--all share the responsibility of preventing the crime of child abuse, and our government plays an important role as well. We must support families to help them stay together and to raise children into becoming happy, stable, and successful adults.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is about increasing awareness of the problem so that we can stop child abuse and neglect before it starts. Together, we can protect children. We can strengthen families. We must ensure that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month highlights the roles of important prevention resources, such as early childhood programs, family resource centers, parent support groups, respite and crisis care, and educator training, which can help reduce the risk factors for child abuse and promote healthy families.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month serves to remind us of our collective responsibility to protect our children from maltreatment and to ensure that all of our kids have childhoods free from abuse and free from neglect.

I thank Representative Petri for introducing the resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1293, authorized by the gentlewoman from Illinois, Congresswoman Judy Biggert. I gave Congressman Petri the credit, but he does so many good things that I just made that mistake. I ask my colleagues to support the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month by voting for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution before us, H. Res. 1293, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Child abuse is an unfortunate reality for many of the Nation's children. No child should have to experience abuse or neglect, but cases of such are reported every day. Recent data from 2008 indicate that 772,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect and that 1,740 children died as a result of child abuse and neglect. Eighty percent of those children were under the age of 4.

Besides the immediate physical and emotional pain that abuse and neglect can inflict on a child, these experiences can have long-term effects on the victims as well. Data show abused and neglected children are at a higher risk of developing health problems, such as alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, and obesity in adulthood. A National Institute of Justice study indicates that children who are abused or who are neglected are 11 times more likely to be arrested for delinquent behavior as juveniles and are 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent and criminal behavior as adults.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month aims to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and to encourage individuals and communities to support children and families, as community awareness and involvement is paramount to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the goals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month encourage members of every community to support the children in that community.

I would like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Judy Biggert of Illinois, for introducing this important legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support House Resolution 1293, supporting the goals and ideals of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which raises awareness of child abuse and the services available to victims.

Child abuse is a tragic, destructive, and a largely silent epidemic that affects millions of Americans--both children and adults.

And it is never more tragic than when it is sexual in nature. Unfortunately one in six children in our country experiences this type of abuse in their lifetime.

In my district, I can think of one young woman in particular who was abused by a teacher she knew and respected over a decade ago. I am proud to say that she has recovered and is leading a happy life. She is also one of the officers in a group headquarted in Santa Ana called The Innocence Mission, which is working to help prevent abuse.

The Innocence Mission is putting forward a message of empowerment, one that tells parents they can prevent child sexual abuse. A message that speaks directly to children and adult survivors and says to them,--''you are not alone.'' Victims have the support of their communities, and have nothing to be ashamed of.

Far too often we read stories of child abuse in the headlines. It is heartbreaking and preventable, and that is why Congress and groups like the Innocence Mission must continue to advocate for victims and raise public awareness.