[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 160 (Tuesday, December 7, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H8039-H8040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING NATIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION MONTH
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1687) supporting the goals and ideals of National
Runaway Prevention Month.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1687
Whereas the number of runaway and homeless youth in the
United States is staggering, with studies suggesting that
between 1,600,000 and 2,800,000 youth live on the streets
each year;
Whereas the problem of children who run away from home is
widespread, as youth between 12 and 17 years of age are at a
higher risk of homelessness than adults;
Whereas runaway youth are often expelled from their homes
by their families, discharged by State custodial systems
without adequate transition plans, separated from their
parents by death and divorce, or physically, sexually, and
emotionally abused at home;
Whereas runaway youth are often too poor to secure their
own basic needs and are ineligible or unable to access
adequate medical or mental health resources;
Whereas effective programs that provide support to runaway
youth and assist them in remaining at home with their
families can succeed through 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 of the Nation is dependent on providing
opportunities for youth to acquire the knowledge, skills, and
abilities necessary 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 with
their families and link youth to local resources that provide
positive alternatives to running away from home; and
Whereas during the month of November, the National Network
for Youth and the National Runaway Switchboard are
cosponsoring National Runaway Prevention Month, in order to
increase public awareness of the circumstances faced by youth
in high-risk situations and to address the need to provide
resources and support for safe, healthy, and productive
alternatives for at-risk youth, their families, and their
communities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and
supports the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention
Month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. CLAY. I now yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1687 for
consideration. This resolution recognizes the importance of youth
runaway prevention and at-risk youth programs. House Resolution 1687
was introduced by our colleague, Representative Judy Biggert of
Illinois, on September 29, 2010. Notably, this measure enjoys the
support of 55 cosponsors.
Madam Speaker, according to the National Runaway Switchboard, between
1.6 million and 2.8 million youth run away from home every year.
Notably, the National Runaway Switchboard reports that among those
youth at greatest risk of running away and facing homelessness are
those that have been expelled from home, those that have suffered
domestic abuse, and those that have been discharged by State custodial
systems without the benefit of adequate transitional planning.
Additionally, youth that have been separated from their parents by
death or divorce, live in poverty, and/or are unable to access adequate
medical or mental health resources are similarly at risk of running
away and becoming homeless.
Madam Speaker, in light of the prevalence of the problem of runaway
youth as well as youth homelessness, let us take this opportunity to
pass House Resolution 1687 and recognize the important role that youth
runaway prevention and at-risk youth programs play in addressing these
issues. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Today I rise in support of House Resolution 1687, expressing the
support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of
National Runaway Prevention Month.
Studies suggest that nearly 3 million children are living on the
street each year. Many of these individuals, who come from every
socioeconomic background, have been kicked out of their homes,
separated from their parents, or physically abused. Worse, these at-
risk youth often find it increasingly difficult or even impossible to
acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to develop into
safe, healthy and productive adults. That's why it is so important that
we pass this resolution today, to raise awareness of the plight of
runaway youth and increase public understanding of the role individual
Americans can play in helping to prevent youth from running away from
home.
As cochair of the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I have
worked with my colleagues to help address many of the issues that face
runaways and their families. The caucus has done some great work, and I
would like to extend to all of my colleagues in the House an invitation
to join us in exploring ways to improve the well-being of distressed
youth and reduce the incidence of runaways.
In addition, I would like to commend the work done by organizations
such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the
National Runaway Switchboard as well as similar organizations across
the country that help ensure runaways and homeless kids in our
communities aren't deprived of a chance at a future. In my home State
of Illinois alone, almost 7,500 calls were placed to the National
Runaway Switchboard last year, and nationally the organization fielded
over 117,000 calls. For more than two decades, the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children has worked
[[Page H8040]]
with communities to coordinate strategies to reunite children with
their families.
With so many children living on the street and the risk that runaway
youth pose to themselves and their communities, it is clear that much
work still remains. But by highlighting the problem and expressing
support for the valuable work done by communities and youth
organizations, we can make significant progress towards preventing
instances of children running away from home and create an environment
in which our Nation's at-risk youth have access to the building blocks
for a lifetime of success.
With that, I would like to encourage all my colleagues to support
this important resolution.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, again let me thank our colleague Mrs.
Biggert of Illinois for introducing this important legislation and let
me again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1687.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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