[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 57 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                        March 26, 2003.
Whereas the prevalence of runaway and homeless situations among youth is 
        staggering, with studies suggesting that between 1,300,000 and 2,800,000 
        youth live on the streets of the United States each year;
Whereas running away from home is widespread, with 1 out of every 7 youth in the 
        United States running away from home before the age of 18;
Whereas runaway youth most often are youth who have been expelled from their 
        homes by their families, physically, sexually, and emotionally abused at 
        home, discharged by State custodial systems without adequate transition 
        plans, separated from their parents through death and divorce, too poor 
        to secure their own basic needs, and ineligible or unable to access 
        adequate medical or mental health resources;
Whereas effective programs supporting runaway youth and assisting youth and 
        their families in remaining at home succeed because of partnerships 
        created among families, community-based human service agencies, law 
        enforcement agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and 
        businesses;
Whereas preventing youth from running away from home and supporting youth in 
        high-risk situations is a family, community, and national priority;
Whereas the future well-being of the Nation is dependent on the opportunities 
        provided for youth and families to acquire the knowledge, skills, and 
        abilities necessary for youth to develop into safe, healthy, and 
        productive adults;
Whereas the National Network for Youth and its members advocate on behalf of 
        runaway and homeless youth and provide an array of community-based 
        supports that address their critical needs;
Whereas the National Runaway Switchboard provides crisis intervention and 
        referrals to reconnect runaway youth to their families and to link youth 
        to local resources that provide positive alternatives to running away 
        from home; and
Whereas the National Network for Youth and National Runaway Switchboard are co-
        sponsoring National Runaway Prevention Month, during the month of 
        November, to increase public awareness of the life circumstances of 
        youth in high-risk situations and the need for safe, healthy, and 
        productive alternatives, resources, and supports for youth, families, 
        and communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and supports the 
goals and ideals of ``National Runaway Prevention Month''.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.