Eva M. Clayton: “Mr. Speaker, this is a time where we recognize child abuse, but hopefully, as the previous speaker said, this is not a…”

“Mr. Speaker, this is a time where we recognize child abuse, but hopefully, as the previous speaker said, this is not a one-time-a-year event, but this is a recognition that our children are our most precious gift. They represent our future. They are our hope. Therefore, we should be investing in their healthy existence. We should have been investing in their safe existence, as well. Child abuse has many aspects to it. First, we do want to support this resolution, which gives public advocacy to it and recognizes the many individuals who are in there professionally doing it every day. It does take a lot for them to stay in that. It takes a continuous commitment to have that energy and not be burned out, so we want to commend those professionals who are in there. We also want to commend a comprehensive approach. There is obviously a law enforcement part of this, there is a health enforcement part of this, there is a psychological and mental health part of this, there is a spiritual involvement with this, and the community as a whole should be involved.”