[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1332 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 31, 2008.
Whereas, on any given day, there are more than 500,000 youth in foster care in 
        the United States;
Whereas an estimated 26,000 of these youth are discharged from the foster care 
        system or ``age out'' with little to no resources to start their own 
        lives;
Whereas the people of the United States have a sincere appreciation for the 
        circumstances that place children in foster care;
Whereas foster youth possess unique qualities and skills that make them ideal 
        candidates for employment, but compared to youth nationally and youth 
        from low-income families, they are less likely to be employed or 
        employed regularly;
Whereas, when afforded comprehensive support, this resilient population excels 
        in the job market;
Whereas, within 18 months after leaving foster care, 25 percent of foster youth 
        become homeless and comprise more than a quarter of the United States 
        homeless population;
Whereas, without positive intervention, youth who age out of foster care often 
        have bouts of homelessness, criminal activity, and incarceration;
Whereas addressing job readiness early in the transition to adulthood is 
        critical to shaping the future trajectories of these youth; and
Whereas youth who begin connecting to the workforce prior to discharge from 
        foster care maintain the highest probability of employment: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of connecting foster youth to the 
        workforce through internship programs, such as the Orphan Foundation of 
        America's InternAmerica program, that provide foster youth the 
        foundation upon which to build their careers and to be successful 
        members of the work force; and
            (2) encourages employers of all sectors and Federal, State, and 
        local governmental agencies to increase employment of the young men and 
        women who have been discharged from foster care in the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.