Reps. Sak, Angerer, Ball, Bennett, Bieda, Brown, Byrnes, Byrum, Condino, Constan, Cushingberry, Dean, Farrah, Gonzales, Green, Hammel, Hammon, Hildenbrand, Hopgood, Rick Jones, Robert Jones, Kathleen Law, LeBlanc, Lemmons, Mayes, Palmer, Pastor, Pearce, Polidori, Proos, Shaffer, Spade, Stahl, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Valentine, Warren, Palsrok and Clack offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 219.

            A resolution celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund in honor of its dedication to Michigan’s children.

            Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund has been a leader both state and nationally in the field of child abuse prevention for 25 years; and

Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund has continued to keep us focused on the fact that our children are our lives and our most precious resource; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund is the only statewide organization dedicated solely to the prevention of child abuse and neglect; and

Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund was the idea of a renown pediatrician from Michigan State University, Dr. Ray Helfer, who is considered the "father of children’s trust funds," which are in every state of the union and our territories; and

Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund has continued the proud legacy of Dr. Helfer and is a place to develop new ideas, contribute to the development and body of knowledge in the field of prevention, raise awareness and money, educate, effect policy and conduct research; and

Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund also works to fund and develop a community-based network of child abuse and neglect prevention programs and services which is their most important function; and

Whereas, The importance of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund can be realized by looking at the overwhelming statistics of child abuse and neglect in our state.  Every five minutes, a child in Michigan is a victim of child abuse or neglect.  Though over 350 cases are reported daily, many more are not. Child abuse and neglect cuts across all socio-economic, geographic, ethnic and gender lines and reflects the current dramatic changes in the American family. There is also a direct correlation between the abuse and neglect perpetrated on our youngest citizens and crime and violence in later years. Further, most child abuse and neglect can be prevented, and for every $1 spent on prevention, $34 can be saved on the consequences of abuse, and

            Whereas, The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund recognizes that child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and not that of any one entity. The fight against child abuse has been, and must be, fought at multiple levels, in collaboration with many partners, including children and families, nationally, state, and locally, and with both individuals and the community; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this Legislative body celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. We express our gratitude to the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, along with Executive Director Richard Bearup and Board Chairperson Nancy Moody, in recognition of their service to all children and families of our state as they celebrate their 25th anniversary.  We encourage the citizens of our state to help in the protection our most valuable natural resource, our kids.