21 April 2005

Governor Sebelius honors children and teens who die from violence
Kansas joins other states for Children’s Memorial Flag Day

In honor of the children and teenagers in America who die from maltreatment and violence, Governor Kathleen Sebelius will proclaim tomorrow Children’s Memorial Flag Day. In this multi-state effort organized by the Child Welfare League of America, Kansas will fly the Children’s Memorial Flag at the Statehouse in Topeka.

“Violence perpetrated against our most vulnerable citizens cannot be tolerated in our Kansas communities,” Governor Sebelius said. “Every effort must be taken to bring about awareness and prevention of these insidious crimes.”

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Governors of every state are invited to fly the flag on the fourth Friday of April. Last year, Kansas also participated. For the past seven years, the Child Welfare League of America has worked to increase awareness by asking state and local governments to recognize the day.

As part of the effort, the organization works to promote healthy parenting tips, abuse prevention programs and networking advice for communities. The Children’s Advocacy Center in Pittsburg and Kaw Valley Center in Kansas City are two Kansas organizations also participating in Children’s Memorial Flag Day.