[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 263 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 15, 2007.
Whereas National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to recognize the 
        important role that the foster care system plays in the lives of the 
        more than 500,000 children currently in foster care programs throughout 
        the United States;
Whereas National Foster Care Month also provides an opportunity to explore the 
        difficulties faced by children in the foster care system and to reaffirm 
        the Nation's commitment to improving the lives of these children by 
        improving foster care programs;
Whereas many children in the foster care system have spent multiple years in 
        foster care programs and have experienced an unstable home life due to 
        frequent moves from one foster home to another;
Whereas approximately 50 percent of foster care children have been placed in 
        foster care programs for longer than 1 year;
Whereas 25 percent of foster care children have been placed in foster care 
        programs for at least 3 years;
Whereas children in foster care programs for longer periods of time often 
        experience worse outcomes than children in foster care programs for 
        shorter periods of time;
Whereas children in foster care programs are more likely than the general 
        population to become teen parents, to rely on public assistance as 
        adults, to become homeless, and to experience mental health disorders at 
        a higher rate;
Whereas repeated studies have shown that a child's very early years are critical 
        for brain development, meaning that it is extremely important to find 
        suitable permanent homes for children during this critical period;
Whereas there are 119,000 children eligible for adoption every year and less 
        than half of the children in foster care programs actually get adopted;
Whereas a stable home is critical to a child's development; and
Whereas every child deserves to be raised by a loving family: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved,  That in recognition of National Foster Care Month and in order to 
improve the foster care system throughout the United States, it is the sense of 
the House of Representatives that Congress should ensure that improving the 
foster care system remains a top priority for both Congress and the Nation.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.