[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 381--DESIGNATING MARCH 1, 2006, AS NATIONAL SIBLING 
                             CONNECTION DAY

  Mr. SALAZAR (for himself, Mr. Ensign, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Akaka, Mr. 
Johnson, Mr. Kerry, and Ms. Clinton) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 381

       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, and are often separated when they 
     are placed in the foster care system, adopted, or confronted 
     with different kinship placements;
       Whereas children in foster care have a greater risk of 
     emotional disturbance, difficulties in school, and problems 
     with relationships than their peers;
       Whereas the separation of siblings as children causes 
     additional grief and loss;
       Whereas organizations and private volunteers advocate for 
     the preservation of sibling relationships in foster care 
     settings and provide siblings in foster care with 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 reunite; 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
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 1, 2006, as ``Siblings Connection 
     Day'';
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to celebrate 
     sibling relationships on this day; and
       (3) supports efforts to respect and preserve those sibling 
     relationships that are at risk of being disrupted due to the 
     placement of children into the foster care system.

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