[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E626-E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE CONGRESSIONAL FOSTER YOUTH SHADOW DAY AND THE FOSTER 
                        YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2026

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate two important 
efforts that connect current and former foster youth with federal 
policymakers--Foster Youth Shadow Day hosted by the National Foster 
Youth Institute in collaboration with the Congressional Caucus on 
Foster Youth, and the Foster Youth Internship Program hosted by the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in collaboration with the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus. These groundbreaking 
programs provide foster youth the opportunity to bring their lived 
experiences to Capitol Hill by shadowing Members of Congress and 
advocating for federal child welfare policy. One of the greatest honors 
and the greatest challenges of my service in Congress has been 
listening to

[[Page E627]]

youth who experienced foster care, learning from them, and trying to 
make sure we do better in the future.
  Foster Youth Shadow Day is the culmination of a week-long program 
designed for young people with lived experience to advocate for federal 
child welfare policy. The youth receive training about how to share 
their experiences with policymakers to make child welfare laws better. 
The program concludes with the annual Foster Youth Shadow Day when the 
youth meet with and follow legislators. The 2026 program marked the 
16th Foster Youth Shadow Day. I have appreciated the opportunity to 
listen to the ideas and concerns of the many young professionals 
connected with me during Foster Youth Shadow Day. This year, 41 
delegates from across the Nation participated in this important 
initiative.
  I am very proud to serve as one of the Co-Chairs of the Congressional 
Coalition on Adoption Caucus--often known as the Adoption Caucus--that 
has consistently saved as the voice for the needs of children who 
require safe, nurturing, and permanent families both in the United 
States and around the world for 40 years. The Caucus collaborates with 
the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute to host the Foster 
Youth Internship Program. This competitive and rigorous program places 
youth in Congressional offices, educates them on federal policy and 
advocacy, requires interns to produce a published Congressional policy 
report that includes their recommendations, and culminates in a 
Congressional briefing on their work. I have had the privilege of 
hosting many FYI interns in my office over the years. I know first-hand 
that their ideas have translated into important legislation and laws to 
make life better for youth. Now in its 23rd year, this internship 
continues to provide young people with lived experience meaningful 
opportunities to share their stories, engage in federal policy 
advocacy, and contribute substantive policy research.
  According to federal Administration on Children and Families, there 
were 331,747 children in foster care in the U.S. during 2025. Although 
family reunification remains the primary goal of the child welfare 
system, many children spend years in care due to a range of complex 
circumstances. This issue is deeply important to me, and I have 
dedicated much of my work to advancing significant change. I have 
served as the senior Democrat on the Subcommittee with jurisdiction 
over child welfare within the Committee on Ways and Means for almost 10 
years. Some of my proudest accomplishments during my 30-year tenure in 
Congress include helping children and families by strengthening them so 
that they do not enter care, helping them get the support and services 
needed to home safely or to join a new loving family, and to help older 
youth who age out of care obtain the resources need to transition 
successfully into independence.
  I am proud to work alongside organizations such as the Congressional 
Coalition on Adoption Institute, the National Youth Institute, the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus, and the Congressional 
Caucus on Foster Youth to elevate lived experience voices and advance 
federal child welfare policy. As the youth say, ``Nothing about us 
without us.''

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