WHEREAS, child abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on the involvement of people throughout the community; and

        WHEREAS, the number of substantiated cases of child abuse in Idaho has been increasing annually; and

        WHEREAS, most cases of child abuse are never reported, and children suffer in silence waiting for someone to save them; and

        WHEREAS, the effects of child abuse are felt by whole communities and need to be addressed by the entire community; and

        WHEREAS, effective child-abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among families, social service agencies, schools, religious and civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and

        WHEREAS, all citizens should become more aware of the impact of child abuse and how to prevent it in their communities by supporting the efforts of parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment; and

        WHEREAS, several statewide and community-based organizations, including the Idaho Children's Trust Fund and Regional Child Abuse Prevention Awareness groups, the Exchange Club and the Independent Order of Foresters have as their purpose to prevent child abuse and neglect in our state;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2007 to be

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

in Idaho and call upon all citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 2^ndday of April in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.       

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE