III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 86 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 27, 2007 Mr. Salazar (for himself, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Brown, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Akaka, and Mr. Inouye) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary February 28, 2007 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating March 1, 2007, as Siblings 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, many of whom are separated when placed in the foster care system, adopted, or confronted with different kinship placements; Whereas children in foster care are at greater risk than their peers of having emotional disturbances, problems in school, and difficulties with relationships later in life; Whereas the separation of siblings while children causes additional grief and loss; Whereas organizations and private volunteer efforts exist that advocate for preserving sibling relationships in foster care settings and that give siblings in foster care 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 be reunited; 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, 2007, as Siblings Connection Day; (2)encourages the people of the United States to celebrate sibling relationships on Siblings Connection Day; and (3)supports efforts to respect and preserve sibling relationships that are at risk of being disrupted by the placement of children in the foster care system.