[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PREVENTING SEX TRAFFICKING AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2014

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support passage of H.R. 4980, 
which would prevent the sex trafficking of foster youth, promote 
adoption, and strengthen international child support
  This measure represents an agreement with Senators Wyden and Hatch on 
three bipartisan bills that the House passed overwhelmingly: the 
Promoting Adoption and Legal Guardianship for Children in Foster Care 
Act, the International Child Support Recovery Improvement Act, and the 
Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in 
Foster Care Act. I voted to approve all three.
  While this bill does not address every challenge of foster youth and 
child sex trafficking facing our nation, it is a positive first step. 
It also demonstrates Congress can work together to prevent the negative 
treatment of foster youth that can lead to child sex trafficking. For 
children involved with the state child welfare agency, states must 
develop methods to identify, document, and determine services for 
victims of child sex trafficking and those who are at risk of becoming 
victims. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services to establish a national advisory committee which will 
have two years to review, and recommend best practices to states to 
address sex trafficking of children and youth.
  In my home state of Oregon, 8,686 children were in foster care on an 
average daily basis last year and 12,366 children spent at least one 
day in foster care of some kind. Nationally, the average foster child 
will spend nearly two years in foster care and will change homes an 
average of three times. The legislation also provides a much needed 
continuation of adoption incentives and FY14 Family Connection grants. 
It also includes a number of helpful provisions targeted at protecting 
our most vulnerable youth from becoming victims and oftentimes repeat 
victims of trafficking.
  I will continue to work towards further efforts in Congress to end 
child sex trafficking and improve our foster care system so that our 
communities can be safer, healthier, and more economically secure.

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