III 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 381 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 16, 2006 Mr. Salazar (for himself, Mr. Ensign, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kerry, and Mrs. Clinton) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating March 1, 2006, as National Sibling Connection Day.

Whereas sibling relationships are among the longest lasting and most significant relationships in life; Whereas brothers and sisters share history, memories, and traditions that bind them together as family; Whereas it is estimated that over 65 percent of children in foster care have siblings, and are often separated when they are placed in the foster care system, adopted, or confronted with different kinship placements; Whereas children in foster care have a greater risk of emotional disturbance, difficulties in school, and problems with relationships than their peers; Whereas the separation of siblings as children causes additional grief and loss; Whereas organizations and private volunteers advocate for the preservation of sibling relationships in foster care settings and provide siblings in foster care with the opportunity to reunite; Whereas Camp to Belong, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 by Lynn Price, heightens public awareness of the need to preserve sibling relationships in foster care settings and gives siblings in foster care the opportunity to reunite; and Whereas Camp to Belong has reunited over 2,000 separated siblings across the United States, the United States Virgin Islands, and Canada: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates March 1, 2006, as Siblings Connection Day; (2)encourages the people of the United States to celebrate sibling relationships on this day; and (3)supports efforts to respect and preserve those sibling relationships that are at risk of being disrupted due to the placement of children into the foster care system.