[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 779 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 779

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     December 14, 2009.
Whereas the prevalence of runaway and homelessness among youth is staggering, 
        with studies suggesting that every year, between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 
        youth live on the streets of the United States;
Whereas running away from home is widespread, and youth aged 12 to 17 are at a 
        higher risk of homelessness than adults;
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 by 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 
        support to address their critical needs;
Whereas the National Runaway Switchboard provides crisis intervention and 
        referrals to reconnect runaway youth to their families and 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 
        cosponsoring National Runaway Prevention Month in 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 support for youth, families, and communities: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of youth runaway prevention; and
            (2) urges support for greater public awareness efforts and effective 
        runaway youth prevention programs.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.