[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S8369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 308--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS 
                  OF NATIONAL RUNAWAY PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. HATCH (for himself and Mr. Leahy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 308

       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 the problem of youth running away from home or a 
     foster care placement 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 children and youth in foster care, particularly 
     those in groups home are especially vulnerable to running 
     away;
       Whereas, children and youth who run away are at increased 
     risk for domestic sex trafficking;
       Whereas effective programs supporting runaway youth and 
     assisting youth and their families in remaining at home or in 
     a safe foster home, succeed because of partnerships created 
     among families, youth based advocacy organizations, 
     community-based human service agencies, law enforcement 
     agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses;
       Whereas preventing youth from running away from home or 
     from foster care 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 needed to help youth 
     successfully transition to a safe, healthy and productive 
     adulthood, as well as having opportunities for youth to make 
     connections to caring adults and to engage in age-appropriate 
     activities;
       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 Safeline 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 
     Safeline 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 Senate recognizes and supports the goals 
     and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.

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