[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4585-H4586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FOSTER YOUTH SHADOW DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, May is Foster Care Month 
and a time to recognize the almost 800,000 foster youth in America. 
During this month, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every child 
has a safe, loving family. I am a member of the Congressional Caucus on 
Foster Youth, and also had a foster brother growing up. He is still my 
brother today.
  I know firsthand how a loving, supportive home can make all the 
difference in a young person's life. Every child deserves to grow up 
healthy and safe. We know that when children grow up in stable 
households, they are much more likely to succeed as adults.
  This month, we both recommit ourselves to ensuring that every child 
has access to the promise of the American Dream while honoring the 
countless professionals and individuals who make selfless sacrifices to 
make this promise a reality.
  Mr. Speaker, today is Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day. More 
than 100 foster youth from across the country will be here in Congress 
spending the day with Members of Congress. Shadow Day allows foster 
youth to share their experiences in foster care directly with Congress 
to help inform and improve child welfare policy. The child welfare 
system directly impacts their lives, so it is important foster youth 
voices are heard here in Congress.
  Today, I am proud to have Lawrence White with me as a part of Shadow 
Day. Lawrence is a 22-year-old from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was in 
the foster care system from the time he was 10 years old until the time 
he turned 20. That is when he aged out of the system.
  During those 10 years, Lawrence shuffled between 19 different homes 
and placements. Despite moving so often, Lawrence was able to stay in 
programs that he enjoyed, such as theater and church activities. He 
said such activities kept him grounded, or, as he puts it, ``I was 
fortunate enough to remain humble and beat the odds.''
  Mr. Speaker, the experiences of youth who transition out of the 
foster care system without a permanent home place them at a higher risk 
of unemployment, poor educational outcomes, health issues, early 
parenthood, long-term dependency on public assistance, increased rates 
of incarceration, and homelessness. But, as Lawrence said: He beat the 
odds.
  Lawrence graduated from high school and earned a scholarship to 
attend Point Park University in Pittsburgh. He now works as a youth 
support partner with young people in the foster care system.
  He currently attends Daytona State College, where his future goal is 
to become a business owner and an author. I have no doubt that the 
future is bright for Lawrence.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that I can spend time today with Lawrence 
and hear about how we can improve the foster care system, because every 
child deserves a safe, supportive, and permanent family.


     Thanking the USO for Its Commitment to American ServiceMembers

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the USO was on Capitol 
Hill yesterday for a service project where volunteers can assemble 
snack packs for servicemembers who are currently deployed. More than 
2,000 snack packs were assembled as a part of the Force Behind the 
Forces campaign.
  The USO strengthens America's military servicemembers by keeping them 
connected to family, home, and country throughout their service to the 
Nation. USO has more than 200 locations around the globe. It serves 4.9 
million Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families.
  For more than 75 years, the USO has been by the side of America's 
military servicemembers. From the moment they join, through their 
assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their 
communities, the USO has been there.
  There are USO centers at or near military installations across the 
United States and throughout the world, including in combat zones, and 
even un-staffed USO service sites in places too dangerous for anyone 
but combat troops to occupy.

[[Page H4586]]

  Mr. Speaker, I thank the USO for its dedication to our servicemembers 
and their families.

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