MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 31, 2004

CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION

Frederick, Md. --- Please be advised that at the City of Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Workshop on Wednesday, March 31, at 2 p.m., Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty will issue a Proclamation declaring April 2004 Child Abuse Awareness Month. The Proclamation will read:

Whereas: Child Abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community; and

Whereas: The effects of child abuse are felt by a whole communities and need to be addressed by the entire community; and

Whereas: Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnership created among social service agencies, schools, religious organization, local governments, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and

Whereas: Youth-serving prevention programs offer positive alternatives for young people and encourage youth to develop strong ties to their community; and

Whereas: All citizens should become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment.

Now, Therefore, I, Jennifer P. Dougherty, Mayor of The City of Frederick, Maryland, herby proclaim the month of April 2004 as Child Abuse Awareness Month in The City of Frederick and call upon all citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities and business to increase participation in efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.