[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E27]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCING THE INDIAN CHILD ADOPTION ASSISTANCE AND FOSTER CARE ACT

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                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation that 
will allow Native American tribes to better serve children who are in 
foster care or in need of adoption assistance.
  My bill will reimburse tribes under the title IV-E Foster Care and 
Adoption Assistance Program for children placed by tribal courts. 
Currently, only States qualify for the Federal funds for adoption 
assistance and foster care. This means if a native American child is 
placed with a family by a tribal court, that family receives no 
additional financial support. If that same child was adopted or placed 
in foster care by a State court, that family would be provided with 
extra resources to care for that child.
  Last year, the Congress was wise to pass bipartisan welfare reform 
legislation which preserved the entitlement status of the adoption 
assistance and foster care programs. These programs reflect our 
Nation's commitment to taking care of some of the most financially and 
emotionally needy children in our country. It is a tragedy that any 
child would be left out of our country's support system.
  I hope that you will join me in working to pass this bill in the 
105th Congress and provide equal and deserved financial assistance to 
thousands of Indian children.

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