[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E710-E711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FOSTER YOUTH SHADOW DAY 2019

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. J. FRENCH HILL

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2019

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to both acknowledge 
the hardships many foster youths have had to endure, and to celebrate 
their persistence and determination as they navigate a complex system 
and transition into adulthood.
  In Arkansas, we have almost 5,000 children currently in the state's 
foster care system. As a Member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster 
Youth, I am proud to join them as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 340, 
which recognizes the month of May as National Foster Care Month.
  For the past four years, I have had the pleasure of a former foster 
youth personally shadowing me for a day. This year, I am honored to 
host Michaella Halbert, a former foster youth from my district. The 
proud mom of two boys, Michaella is a passionate advocate for children 
within the foster care system. Many foster youths do not have access to 
a community to help support them in finding a career

[[Page E711]]

and a home after they grow out of the foster care system. I applaud 
Michaella in her efforts to create a better environment and future for 
children within the system.
  I am proud to stand with the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth in 
celebration of the Eighth Annual Foster Youth Shadow Day, which gives 
youth an opportunity to experience firsthand the foundations and 
principle of the United States Congress, instilling the characteristics 
of leadership that they can continue to use throughout their lives.

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