NAN A. S. HAYWORTH: “Let me also take time at the outset to thank my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), on the other side of…”

“Let me also take time at the outset to thank my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), on the other side of the aisle for his support of this resolution, House Resolution 113, a resolution that recognizes the scope of child abuse and neglect and declares support for efforts to raise public awareness of this tragic problem. Mr. Speaker, in many ways this House Chamber becomes America's town hall. We are able to focus the collective attention of our Nation on vital concerns of the day. While war rages around the globe, while our men and women in harm's way are doing their best to liberate another nation, it is worth noting that here at home we have serious problems; and, indeed, these problems extend to the youngest among us. Mr. Speaker, homicide is the only major cause of childhood death that has increased over the last 30 years. Think about that for just a minute. In the last 3 decades, while we have made such tremendous strides against childhood disease, a cause of death so brutal as the premeditated taking of another's life continues to be on the rise among our youngest.”