Title
Proclamation declaring April 2009 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Allegheny County and recognizing A Child's Place at Mercy for their efforts to help abuse victims.
Body
WHEREAS, each year more than one million children in the country are documented as child abuse victims, and at least 1,500 children die as a result; and
WHEREAS, organizations throughout the County dedicate their missions to raising awareness of child abuse to prevent its recurrence; and
WHEREAS, A Child's Place at Mercy of Pittsburgh's Mercy Health System is the Allegheny County Child Advocacy Center - a fully accredited center of the National Children's Alliance; and
WHEREAS, the center has been a team for almost 20 years and has been involved with over 20,000 cases of suspected child abuse, providing advice and guidance to those who seek help for children subjected to abuse; and
WHEREAS, by maintaining an open-door policy, A Child's Place at Mercy has helped thousands of abused children; their commitment to abolishing child abuse is a mission that should be adopted widely by everyone in our community;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council, on behalf of the citizens of Allegheny County, hereby declares the month of April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Allegheny County. Furthermore, this Council commends A Child's Place at Mercy for helping to treat and prevent child abuse in our county.