These 13 issues of the Children's Defense Fund Report from 1997 discuss concerns related to child advocacy and provide information on problems in children's lives in the United States. Regular features include the editorial column "A Voice for Children," a status report on federal legislation related to children, descriptions of Children's Defense Fund activities, news from the Black Community Crusade for Children, media tips, field strategies, and summaries of relevant research and reports. Topics covered in major articles include the following: (1) December 1996--the nation's juvenile violence is decreasing, fewer guns and more community involvement are helping to keep children safe; (2) January--child health insurance coverage, political leadership accountability, public opinion about issues such as violence prevention, and key facts related to child well-being; (3) February--1996 congressional voting record; (4) March--the Stand for Children initiative and proposed federal legislation regarding child health insurance; (5) April--1998 federal budget proposal and the Stand for Children initiative; (6) May--the Hatch-Kennedy CHILD Act, employer-based health insurance, and tobacco/alcohol/drug use prevention; (7) June--the campaign for the Hatch-Kennedy CHILD bill, and planning a children's Sabbath celebration; (8) July--the Stand for Children initiative; (9) August--child gun deaths and community child protection initiatives; (10) September--gains for children in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, child health insurance coverage, and young families; (11) October--decreases in U.S. teen birth rate, and the welfare to work initiative; (12) November--the State Child Health Insurance Program, alarming child poverty rates, and after-school time; and (13) December--important gains in child health, falling juvenile crime, and the State Child Health Insurance Program. (KB)