[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H10214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further 
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1375) recognizing and 
supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month, 
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1375

       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 recognizes and 
     supports the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention 
     Month.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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