[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING FOSTER PARENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2008

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor 
of H. Res. 1185, recognizing National Foster Care Awareness Month.
  Today, more than half a million children nationwide are living in 
foster care. Like children everywhere, these vulnerable young people 
need the safety and security of a permanent family. For many children 
who cannot be reunited with their parents, that means joining a new 
family through adoption.
  Across the country there are families who have adopted children and 
youth from the foster care system. One of those outstanding persons is 
my constituent Ms. Ann Carnegie in Atlanta who has dedicated her life 
to the service of others. She is one of many hard-working Americans 
determined to make a difference for the next generation.
  Ms. Carnegie became a single mother when she adopted three children. 
She began as a foster parent for Bernard and Latrice. Both had already 
spent 5 years in foster care and had special needs; Ms. Carnegie knew 
that if the opportunity presented itself that she would want to adopt 
them.
  Bernard is an intelligent, artistic young man who aspires to work 
with computer animation one day. Latrice is a French honors student who 
hopes to become a lawyer. Everyone in this loving family takes time to 
play cars and dinosaurs with their youngest brother Matty. I have faith 
that all the children in the Carnegie family will fulfill their dreams 
one day.
  Every year, the Carnegie family celebrates the children's adoptions 
with a special celebration. There are many important pieces of 
legislation that we both support that will improve child welfare 
services and strengthen America's families.
  I have the privilege to serve on the Income Security and Family 
Support Subcommittee under the leadership of my good friend, the 
Gentleman from Washington, Mr. McDermott. I know that all of us on the 
Subcommittee share a commitment to protect and improve the future of 
those in the child welfare system.
  We must do all we can to help children living in foster care join 
loving families like the Carnegies, and I look forward to supporting 
reforms this year. Initiatives like the federal Adoption Incentive 
program encourages states like mine to finalize more adoptions of 
children from foster care, but there is more that can be done. Children 
in foster care have waited long enough.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important 
resolution today, and to give strong consideration of the many 
legislative proposals to improve the lives of children in foster care.

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