Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Children are the Commonwealth’s greatest resource and deserve our utmost protection and care; and
Whereas Among the most important issues facing us today, child abuse and neglect crosses all cultural, ethnic, economic and social lines; and
Whereas The best means to prevent child abuse and neglect is by providing parents with the skills, information and resources they need and deserve to be the best parents they can be; and
Whereas Child abuse and neglect is often generational within families, and the most important factor in breaking that cycle is to ensure that children grow up in safe and caring environments, and
Whereas When parents experience positive social connections they feel less isolated and frustrated and are less likely to commit abuse or neglect; and
Whereas When parents understand child development, their expectations of child behavior is more appropriate, and when coupled with useful parenting tools, such as positive discipline techniques, knowledgeable parents have more confidence in their parenting skills and create healthier home environments for their children; and
Whereas Protecting children and preventing child abuse and neglect in our Commonwealth requires the participation and partnership of every Massachusetts citizen, business leader and family-service professional,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 2012, to be,
Child Abuse Prevention Month
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this ninth day of March, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts